 DECEMBER 2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
A letter from Montgomery County Climate Change Officer Sarah Kogel-Smucker
While federal climate policy developments have been disheartening, 2025 was a banner year for climate action in Montgomery County. As we approach year-end, let’s celebrate some of our local achievements:
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10th Anniversary of Tree Montgomery: Since its launch in 2015, Tree Montgomery has planted 18,400 shade trees across the County, enriching communities, improving air quality and reducing urban heat. The program boasts an impressive 93% tree survival rate.
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Zero Fare Buses: All Ride On buses are now zero fare, removing barriers for riders and making our system more accessible while offering a viable alternative to single occupancy vehicles.
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Building Efficiency: In February, the County Council adopted the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) regulations — a major step toward lowering emissions from our largest buildings. Buildings covered under BEPS, which include most buildings 25,000 square feet or longer, account for approximately 30% of the County’s building emissions and approximately 15% of total Countywide emissions.
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Emergency Response Infrastructure: The County installed our first two mesonet weather stations, improving storm forecasting and emergency response.
- Reaching Communities: The County added climate outreach staff to better engage with communities across the county.
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Maryland State Grants: Montgomery County was awarded over $2 million in competitive grants from the Maryland Energy Administration during the first half of 2025. The funds support energy efficiency, clean energy, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, delivering both social and environmental benefits.
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Fleet transition: We accelerated our transition to a zero-emission fleet, adding new EV cars, EV Ride On buses, and charging infrastructure throughout the County.
I’m proud to live in a County that continues to lead on equitable climate action regardless of which way the federal winds blow. Thank you for your engagement, support, and civic spirit throughout 2025.
Warmly,
Regional Ozone Trends Since 1997: 2025 Marks Continued Progress
This chart shows that most days in 2025 had good or moderate ozone levels in the Metropolitan Washington region, with only five unhealthy level days recorded. See the Local Climate News section below to learn more.
Image Source: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Full calendar details of upcoming events can be found on the My Green Montgomery Community Calendar.
12/04: 10:30am - 2:30pm Illumination Station at Rockville Memorial Library
12/06: 4:00pm- 7:00pm Winter Wonderland with the Flash Bus
12/07: 12:30pm - 2:30pm City of Lights Helping Hands - Food Pantry
Please visit the Food Assistance Resource Map for many more local food distribution locations.
12/09: 10:30am - 2:30pm Illumination Station at Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library
12/10: 10:30am - 2:30pm Illumination Station at Gaithersburg Library
12/11: 10:30am - 2:30pm Illumination Station at Germantown Library
12/13: 9:00am -12:00pm Jingle Bell Run
12/16: 10:30am - 2:30pm Illumination Station at Long Branch Library
12/17: 10:30am - 2:30pm Illumination Station at Marilyn J. Praisner (Burtonsville) Library
12/18: 10:30am - 2:30pm Illumination Station at Twinbrook Library
12/23: 8:00am - 5:00pm Illumination Station at Wheaton Library
12/30: 8:00am - 5:00pm Illumination Station at White Oak Library
Local climate news and updates from Montgomery County, the State of Maryland, and around the DMV.
The metropolitan Washington region’s air quality continued to improve in 2025, with only five “Code Orange” days, when ozone levels are unhealthy for sensitive groups. That’s down from seven in 2024 and well below 51 in 2005. The region had the third-fewest high-ozone days among comparable areas nationwide. Officials credit the progress to cleaner energy, reduced emissions, and better transit options. See the graph above to compare daily ozone levels since 1997. Visit the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to read more.
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Montgomery County is surveying faith communities to strengthen communication and emergency preparedness. The initiative aims to better connect with over 600 houses of worship in what’s considered the nation’s most religiously diverse large county. The survey will help improve outreach on grants, events, and disaster planning, while mapping the county’s rich religious landscape. Read more from the Montgomery County Government.
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National and international climate change news that affects life in the U.S. and beyond.
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Global progress on climate action remains too slow to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal, according to a new report from the World Resources Institute. While electric vehicle sales and clean energy investments hit record highs, none of the 45 tracked indicators are on pace for 2030 targets. The report calls for a fourfold acceleration in emissions cuts, clean energy deployment, and climate finance to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Read more from the World Resources Institute. |
Learn about Climate Champions in our community. This month, meet the Emergency Management Specialist leading impactful community engagement around emergency preparedness.
As we reflect on 2025, one thing remains clear: engaging and educating the community is essential as we face increasingly frequent and complex emergencies. Leading this work is the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS), where Sareem Streater, Emergency Management Specialist, has helped transform how the County connects with residents.
Sareem began with OEMHS as a contractor in late 2022 and has since transitioned to a full-time role. Since joining OEMHS, Sareem has helped revitalize and scale up the office’s outreach, transforming it into a countywide initiative that now reaches thousands of residents each year.
In 2025 alone, Sareem helped OEMHS reach over 4,000 more residents than in 2023 through more than 100 events. He also deepened partnerships with departments like Fire and Rescue, Police, Health and Human Services, and the Office of Food Systems Resilience to better serve Montgomery County’s diverse communities. He helped reinvigorate the County’s Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COAD) by coordinating trainings and meetings with local partners ready to support their neighborhoods during crises.
At tabling events, OEMHS also uses interactive methods to teach residents how to stay informed with Alert Montgomery, make a plan, and build emergency kits. The “Are You Ready?” workbook, available in eight languages, is free in both digital and physical formats. Residents can request a tangible copy by calling 311 or emailing emergency.management@montgomerycountymd.gov.
A major focus of Sareem’s work has been reaching groups most vulnerable to emergencies. OEMHS has expanded its engagement with residents of all ages, from elementary students to seniors, and now provides outreach in eight languages to ensure preparedness information is accessible to more communities. One standout initiative is OEMHS’s partnership with the volunteer group Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) which has coordinated hands-only CPR, Narcan, and bleeding control training for students, houses of worship, and the 55+ community. This collaborative effort has supported OEMHS's outreach initiative to boost community engagement and preparedness throughout the County.
OEMHS’s approach is not just about delivering information. Community feedback has helped shape outreach strategies and informed updates to the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, finalized in 2024. This two-way exchange ensures preparedness efforts reflect the real needs and experiences of residents.
Thanks to Sareem’s leadership, OEMHS is connecting with communities more effectively and strengthening Montgomery County’s resilience.
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We are excited to share the below news and opportunities below. These important grants are offered by both local and federal funding opportunities, and are made available to local governments, universities, community organizations, businesses and individuals.
Resilient Maryland Program: Applications due December 31, 2025. The Resilient Maryland Program provides funding for organizations to develop and install microgrids, resiliency hubs, and other distributed energy resources (DERs) for critical and community uses. Funding is available for preconstruction planning and system installation, with a focus on Maryland communities, businesses, and critical infrastructure seeking reliable, clean, and affordable energy solutions. Eligible entities can use the funds to offset feasibility analysis, planning, equipment, and installation costs. The minimum grant is $50,000; the maximum varies by applicant and project type.
MDOT Urban Tree Program Grant Application: Applications due January 15, 2026 for awards issued in February and July 15, 2026 for fall awards. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) offers grants to support tree planting efforts in communities that have been impacted by transportation projects. Maximum award is $5000.
Electrifying Community BuildingsGreenspace Equity Program (FY27): Applications due December 31, 2025. The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) offers grant support for community-serving buildings for measures that facilitate efficient electrification of building systems (mechanical, thermal, laundry, cooking), which may result in lifecycle cost reductions as well as zero onsite emissions. This may include pre-electrification such as electric panel upgrades, weatherization, and deep energy efficiency improvements. Eligibility is limited to non-government buildings whose primary function is to serve the public, such as hospitals, museums, centers for arts and sciences, private K-12 schools, places of worship and similar. The maximum grant is $1,500,000 and there is a 50% cost-share (including utility incentives).
Greenspace Equity Program (FY27): Applications due January 14, 2026. The Greenspace Equity Program is a State grant funding community greenspace projects located in an overburdened community; in an underserved community; or on a property for which an eligible applicant holds a conservation easement or owns the property in fee simple and is located in a census tract that is adjacent to an overburdened community or an underserved community. Grants may be for up to 100% of the project cost and are selected on a competitive basis. Projects must be publicly accessible.
Exciting opportunities available for job seekers. Check out DEP’s Green Job Portal for additional climate and sustainability jobs, including these highlighted positions:
Senior Planning Specialist, Solar Adoption Grade 25 - Department of Environmental Protection (Wheaton, MD): This position will be responsible for providing technical expertise to lead the development of strategies, policies, and programs to increase solar adoption in Montgomery County. The individual will oversee the development and ongoing evolution of solar-related strategic planning to guide the County’s approach to solar policies, programs, community engagement, and project deployment. They will develop, manage, and implement efforts to support residents and businesses related to solar energy installations and community solar programs. They will also provide technical expertise regarding solar installation issues and to the County’s consideration of solar opportunities on County property, stakeholder outreach efforts, state and local policy advocacy, and efforts to secure funding to support solar projects in and benefitting Montgomery County.
Director of Administration and Finance - Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (Rockville, MD): The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) seeks an enthusiastic, detail-oriented collaborative individual to lead the Administrative and Finance team. The Director of Administration and Finance is a senior management position. The position directs daily administrative, financial and information technology activities of the organization. The position is responsible for the ICPRB’s accounting and financial records; budgeting; human resources management; computer systems, programs, and equipment; insurance; receipt, disbursement, and investment of funds; operation and maintenance of the Commission’s office building; purchase and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
Program Assistant - MobilizeGreen (Washington, DC): Play a key role in the day-to-day coordination of the MIFP program, helping to keep deliverables on track, documentation organized, and communications flowing smoothly across teams and partners. You’ll assist with program administration, recruiting and onboarding, data tracking, and participant services to ensure that every Fellow and partner has a seamless experience.
Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee - Montgomery County Boards, Committees, and Commissions (Volunteer): County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill eight vacancies on the Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee. All members must be technically knowledgeable and interested in climate change, energy, and air quality, and individuals with professional experience, education, and knowledge in these fields are particularly encouraged to apply. All members must be Montgomery County residents. Three incumbents are eligible to apply for reappointment.
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