 MARCH 2026
IN THIS ISSUE:
A note from the County's Climate Change Officer, Sarah Kogel-Smucker
Spring Cleaning
Spring can’t come soon enough, bringing park strolls and hikes, but also the need for a deep clean. Spring cleaning is a tried-and-true tradition that can give you a much-needed refresh. As you clear out what you no longer need, give those items a new life. Montgomery County’s Quick Guide to Organizations that Accept Donated Goods makes it easy and reduces waste. Your donation can help neighbors and the planet.
Data Centers
We have a chance to get data centers right in Montgomery County, and we need your voice. Data centers offer potential local economic benefits, particularly from personal property taxes, but can also pose significant environmental, climate, land-use and social impacts. To jumpstart the local conversation, I led the County Executive team in developing the County Executive’s Draft Legislative and Policy Recommendations for Data Centers in Montgomery County (PDF). We held a public meeting on February 3, 2026 and solicited feedback from stakeholders. The Council is now considering two bills: Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-01, which would limit data centers to industrial zones and impose certain environmental criteria, and Bill 4-26, which would establish a data center task force. Please share your thoughts on local data center policy with your Councilmembers and the County Executive. Robust input can create cutting-edge policy.
Warmly,
This graphic shows the energy saved by using recycled materials instead of raw materials. It also illustrates how choosing recycled materials can reduce overall climate impact.
Image Source: Why Recycling is Beneficial
Full calendar details of upcoming events can be found on the My Green Montgomery Community Calendar.
3/4: 6:00pm - 7:00pm Green Careers Panel Discussion
3/5: 6:00pm - 8:30pm Future of Trash Open House
3/7: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Bethesda Green Youth Climate Summit
3/7: 6:00pm - 7:30pm Community Science Night Hike
3/11: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Clean Energy & Community Resources Day
3/13: 8:00am - 7:45pm Nourishing Bethesda Choice Market Please visit the Food Assistance Resource Map for many more local food distribution locations.
3/17: 10:30am - 2:30pm Illumination Station at Burtonsville Library
3/21: 1:00pm - 5:00pm Healthy Homes Fair
3/25: 10:30am - 2:30pm Illumination Station at Rockville Memorial Library
3/28: 10:00am - 12:00pm Weed Warrior Workday at Bullis Local Park
Local climate news and updates from Montgomery County, the State of Maryland, and around the DMV.
During a public forum in Rockville, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and several councilmembers including Council President Natali Fani‑González, Council Vice President Marilyn Balcombe, and councilmembers Laurie‑Anne Sayles, Will Jawando, and Evan Glass heard concerns from more than 100 community members and over 300 virtual participants about data center development. Many residents urged a moratorium, citing fears of higher electricity bills and environmental strain from the large power and water needs of hyperscale facilities. Council President Fani‑González and others have also advanced a zoning amendment to restrict data centers to industrial areas. Read more in Bethesda Magazine.
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House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk’s plan to lower energy bills got mostly positive reviews Tuesday, but a proposal to tweak the state’s signature energy efficiency program, EmPOWER Maryland, raised concerns that it could upend the program instead. The provision, which requires that all residential programs offered to customers under EmPOWER be cost-effective, was the focus of debate at the committee hearing. Consumer advocates argued that, while individual initiatives may not always be cost‑effective, the overall EmPOWER program is. Read more at Maryland Matters.
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National and international climate change news that affects life in the U.S. and beyond.
A coalition of health organizations, environmental groups, and youth plaintiffs is suing the EPA after the agency reversed its longstanding finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. The plaintiffs include American Public Health Association, Union of Concerned Scientists, Environmental Defense Fund, and Sierra Club, joined by young people from California, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Alaska. The rollback weakens the legal foundation for regulating emissions from vehicles, power plants, and other major sources. Plaintiffs argue the decision disregards scientific evidence and puts communities at increased risk from climate-related harms. The case seeks to restore the federal government’s ability to set and enforce limits on greenhouse gas pollution. Read more in Inside Climate News.
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Learn about Climate Champions in our community. This month, meet the Innovation Accelerator Lead in Montgomery County.
As Montgomery County works toward its ambitious climate goals, building a workplace culture that encourages innovation and problem‑solving is key to driving meaningful progress. One of the leaders helping move this work forward is James Hawkins, the County’s Innovation Accelerator Lead. The Accelerator is a project-based learning course where County employees learn skills through action. In this course, employees learn how to identify issues, gather useful information, build consensus, and create practical solutions that help them turn everyday challenges into meaningful improvements.
In 2024, Montgomery County initiated the first Climate Accelerator Cohort, which adapted the course specifically for climate‑related projects. The structure remained the same, but the focus shifted to climate action. County employees developed a range of projects. These included expanding shade tree coverage, increasing electric vehicle use within Fire and Rescue, reducing single‑use plastic water bottles at recreation centers and swim meets, and encouraging children to recycle more effectively.
In leading the Innovation Accelerator, James has seen how overwhelming climate issues can feel. A key lesson he has learned is the value of action, no matter how small. He explains that when people see climate change as an unsolvable problem, they often shut down, but when the problem is broken down, and the focus becomes taking small steps forward, people feel empowered to act. If everyone takes a step, no matter the size, the collective impact can be significant.
Small improvements in daily activities, workplace processes, or departmental operations can contribute to the larger climate goals across the County. The Innovation Accelerator plays a meaningful role in this effort by equipping employees with the tools and confidence they need to take action. Many participants carry these skills into their personal lives and community work. As more people learn how to identify problems and take steps toward solutions, Montgomery County becomes better prepared to address climate challenges.
Residents and County employees interested in learning more about the Innovation Accelerator or the upcoming Climate Accelerator Cohort can visit the program’s website for additional information.
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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.
Frankenthaler Climate Initiative (FCI): Applications due March 27, 2026. There are 3 unique grants: Scoping, Technical Assistance, and Catalyst Grants. The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation invites nonprofit visual arts institutions to apply for assistance with undertaking sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives that directly address carbon reduction and energy efficiency toward zero-carbon operations and a future in which the visual arts thrive while contributing to a more sustainable and ecologically conscious world.
Kate Svitek Memorial Foundation: Applications due March 30, 2026. The primary focus is to promote and help support a range of activities and educational opportunities principally related to outdoor and wilderness exploration, study, observation, preservation, improvement, expansion, and enhancement related to land, water, or atmosphere. Maximum award is $15,000.
Wild Geese Foundation Grants: Applications due May 1, 2026. The Wild Geese Foundation invites small, grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofits to apply for small grants that support Youth work, Reproductive Justice, or Climate Justice. Most grants range from $2,500 to $30,000.
Waste Management (WM) Charitable Contributions Program: Applications accepted year-round. 501(c)3 or public organizations may apply for a charitable contribution to make communities safer, stronger, and more sustainable. WM funds environmental stewardship, environmental justice, sustainability education, workforce and skills development, community vitality, and supplier diversity. No maximum is specified.
Exciting opportunities available for job seekers. Check out DEP’s Green Job Portal for additional climate and sustainability jobs, including these highlighted positions:
County Executive’s Office, Summer Climate Internship (Hybrid), Montgomery County Government: Come work with us! The Montgomery County Executive’s Office is seeking current college or graduate Summer Climate Interns to support our work. Interns will gain hands-on experience with local government climate efforts, including policy research, program support, and a strong focus on communications and community outreach. Interns will be on-boarded and paid through a temporary services agency and will be detailed to the County for the internship duration. Apply by Friday, April 17, 2026.
Summer 2026 Watershed Restoration Internship, Department of Environmental Protection, Montgomery County Government: Montgomery County’s Watershed Restoration Division is seeking motivated and environmentally passionate students for its Summer 2026 Internship Program. This internship, running approximately between June 1 and August 31, offers hands-on experience in watershed management, stormwater programs, GIS mapping, and community outreach. Interns will have the opportunity to contribute to real-world projects that protect local streams, improve water quality, and support sustainable practices across the County.
Senior Permitting Services Specialist, Department of Permitting Services, Montgomery County Government: The Department is seeking a Senior Permitting Services Specialist to join the Commercial Building Construction Division. An individual with the technical knowledge, experience, and professional skillset to ensure public safety through the effective application of adopted codes, guidelines, and standards as they relate to commercial building requirements.
Stormwater Management Inspector, Department of Environmental Protection, Montgomery County Government: The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking a knowledgeable and experienced Permitting and Code Compliance Inspector III to join a team of dedicated professionals in the Stormwater BMP Inspection and Maintenance Section, within the Watershed Restoration Division to help ensure the proper maintenance and compliance of stormwater management systems across Montgomery County.
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