Maryland Energy Administration Announces New Commercial Wood Boiler Grant Program

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

Baltimore, MD – In support of Maryland’s ongoing efforts to enable sustainable energy development, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is announcing the Commercial Wood Boiler program, a new initiative designed to further encourage the use of woody biomass as a thermal and/or energy source.

“This program is a win-win for Maryland. The commercial wood boilers unleash the currently untapped energy value in what would normally be discarded wood. Using renewable resources like wood can keep operating costs down for Maryland businesses and protects the environment,” stated Mary Beth Tung, Maryland Energy Administration Director.

Promoted under the name “MEA CWB FY17 Grant Program,” the program will target eligible industrial facilities, schools, hospitals and other commercial facilities. The CWB Program is only open to properties that lack access to natural gas. Application materials must be submitted by February 15, 2017.

Maryland offers significant reserves of woody biomass, including wood chips derived from urban and suburban tree trimming that can serve as continual fuel resources. This program will capture some of the unrealized potential of these resources while allowing for the replacement of fossil fuels. Wood chips or pellet prices are not impacted by world markets, the inflationary effects of a weakening dollar and the growing demand for energy abroad. Moreover, wood chips and pellets are not as bulky, burns cleaner, and are much more convenient than firewood.

The upfront cost of converting traditional commercial systems are often cited as barriers to project development. By removing these barriers, facility owners will have an incentive necessary to determine the best way to convert an existing fuel oil, propane or electric heating system to a wood energy conversion system. In order to drive down the initial costs associated with installing commercial boiler systems, MEA will award grants of up to $500,000 per project to qualified applicants, on a competitive basis. Grants are available with a 50 percent cost match from the applicant. For details regarding the grant program requirements and restrictions, please review the Funding Opportunity Announcement and Application , available on the MEA website.

MEA offers several additional grants to increase energy efficiency including for residents, businesses, nonprofits and government organizations. Visit www.energy.maryland.gov for more information and a full list of grants.

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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 .