It will soon be time to submit your calendar year 2025 energy benchmarking report! Benchmarking reports are due by Monday, June 1, 2026.

Reports can be submitted via the Montgomery County Benchmarking Portal as soon as you have data through December 31, 2025 uploaded in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. We expect aggregated electricity data from Pepco / BGE (via EUDS) to be available around March 1st. 

If you have questions or need help, you can:

1. Join DEP's benchmarking webinar on 2/17 at 2 pm to get a refresher about how to benchmark and report.
2. Schedule an appointment with DEP staff for virtual, one-on-one support.
3. Apply for the Montgomery County Green Bank Technical Assistance Program which can help match you with a service provider and may help to subsidize benchmarking or data verification. 

➤ See the Montgomery County Benchmarking Website for additional details

On February 26th, DEP will host a webinar tailored for Group 1 and Group 2 buildings (non-residential buildings over 50,000 gross square feet) that are more than 10% away from their interim building energy performance standards. These groups have interim performance deadlines at the end of 2028, so planning and implementing energy improvements now is key to positioning your building for BEPS compliance.

Check your BEPS status on the target look-up tool and register today to get caught up on BEPS compliance options, timelines, and strategies. 

We’re excited to share thatPaula R. Glover, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, will join us as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Montgomery County Energy Summit.

Paula brings decades of energy leadership and a clear, people-focused vision for what an efficient, equitable future can look like. We can’t wait for attendees to hear from her.

Register today for the April 28–29 Summit at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Join us for two days of learning, connection and hands-on inspiration.

Congress has fully funded the ENERGY STAR program through fiscal year 2026. A provision in the fiscal 2026 appropriations bill that funds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and several other federal agencies mandates that the administration provide at least $33 million to carry out the program through the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, a modest increase over the $32 million provided in FY2024, the most recent year where program funding data is available. The provision includes a directive from Congress that the administration not take actions to reduce the amount.

Read more coverage from NPR, USGBC, and Facilities Dive.

Groundswell is offering a no cost feasibility assessment to help organizations explore whether their facility could function as a Community Resilience Center. These are community-led spaces designed to support safety, connection, and continuity during disruptions. They are especially interested in partnering with churches, community centers, clinics, schools, and food hubs.

Participating organizations will receive a complimentary assessment evaluating the facility’s potential as a Community Resilience Center and early stage, pre-construction planning materials that can be used to pursue future implementation funding. To get involved, learn more about the program, complete the interest form, or contact ResilientCommunities@groundswell.org.

Check out DEP’s Green Job Portal for open positions in climate and sustainability jobs! 

Local News

Maryland is farther behind on its emissions goal than expected, new research shows (Maryland Matters)

Climate groups, caught by surprise last year, fight to protect Maryland energy fund in 2026 (Maryland Matters)

BGE, Pepco launch ‘why customer bills are rising’ education campaign (Daily Energy Insider)

PJM’s power-starved grid will finally get a big battery this year (Canary Media)

Other News

Report examines how energy efficiency investments alleviate electric demand growth (Daily Energy Insider)

Reducing Risk and Increasing Value Under Building Performance Standards (Facilities Net)

Don’t Dismiss Solar Even as Federal Tax Credits Fade Away (Facilities Net)