Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions - January 3, 2024
Maryland Energy Administration Program Helps Schools Lower Emissions
The Maryland Energy Administration unveiled a plan to help K-12 public schools across the state reduce and eliminate carbon emissions.
The Decarbonizing Public Schools Program will provide capital to help local education agencies include a wide range of clean energy and energy efficiency measures into public schools.
Schools are eligible for various grants focused on capacity building, infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy adoption and the use of new, sustainable construction methods.
The state has already built and opened its first three net zero energy schools. The first was Wilde Lake Middle School in Howard County, followed by Holabird Academy and the Graceland Park/O’Donnell Heights Elementary/Middle School, both in Baltimore City.
“The Decarbonizing Public Schools Program is a cornerstone in Maryland's commitment to sustainable energy. It helps create learning environments that are more energy efficient, while they serve as living laboratories for renewable energy technologies,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky in a statement. “This holistic approach will advance our environmental and educational goals alike."
The funds from the program will be used for varied activities like benchmarking energy use, directly reducing emissions and updating key policies such as boiler and HVAC system replacements to advanced metering and controls, targeted facility improvements are expected to yield substantial financial savings over time.
The Maryland Energy Administration and the Interagency Commission on School Construction jointly developed the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program as part of statewide efforts to lower GHG emissions and expand the use of clean energy sources. The funding for fiscal year 2024 is approximately $24 million.
Maryland’s local education agencies have until March 15, 2024 to review detailed program guidelines and submit applications for consideration.
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