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MEA ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES IN DATA CENTERS THROUGH NEW PILOT PROGRAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jahmai Sharp-Moore | 443-694-3651

Baltimore, MD – Today, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) announced the launch of the Data Center Energy Efficiency Grant Pilot Program (DCEEG). The program is designed to support the robust and growing information technology sector within Maryland by providing grants on a competitive basis to encourage the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency technologies in Maryland data centers. According to Mary Beth Tung, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration, “This program fully supports Maryland’s ‘Open For Business’ mission by recognizing and investing in the information technology sector. Data centers are modern economic drivers and are creating high-paying jobs. However, data centers are also major energy users. By partnering with and investing in data centers, Maryland can help reduce energy usage, improve competitiveness, and drive innovation.”

Successful projects must result in the reduction of energy usage within a data center through cost-effective energy efficiency measures. The competitive Pilot Program is open to any commercial or state/local government data center located within the State of Maryland with an overall facility size of at least 2,000 square feet. Grant awards will range from $20,000 to $200,000 per eligible project, subject to funding availability. Grants are designed to cover up to 50% of the net customer cost (up to $200,000) for innovative and cost-effective energy efficiency solutions. Eligible efficiency measures include (but are not limited to) server virtualization, air flow optimization, aisle containment, lighting, controls, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), motors and variable frequency drives, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades, and building insulation and envelope improvements.

MEA will provide an informational webinar that will cover details on the program, application process, and evaluation criteria. If you or your organization would like to participate in the Data Center Energy Efficiency Grant Pilot Program Webinar, please RSVP to datacenters.mea@maryland.gov with your name, organization, and contact information. The date and time of the webinar will be scheduled and posted to the DCEEG website soon.

Applications for grants are due to MEA by 11:59 pm, January 27th, 2017. Additional information about the program, including the application, can be found at http://energy.maryland.gov/business/Pages/incentives/DCEEG.aspx .

MEA will provide an informational webinar on Thursday, November 17th at 1:30pm that will cover details on the program, application process, and evaluation criteria. If you or your organization would like to participate in the Data Center Energy Efficiency Grant Pilot Program Webinar, please RSVP online at https://mea.clickmeeting.com/dceeg/register.

For more information or assistance, please contact Rory Spangler at Rory.Spangler@Maryland.gov.

Maryland Energy Administration
On behalf of Governor Hogan the mission of the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is to promote affordable, reliable and cleaner energy for the benefit of all Marylanders.  To achieve its mission, MEA advises the Governor, General Assembly on matters relating to energy policy.  MEA administers grant and loan programs to encourage clean energy technologies in all sectors of Maryland’s economy: Residential, Commercial, Agricultural, and Transportation. For more information about the Maryland Energy Administration, visit www.energy.maryland.gov .