Agency Update: Maryland Energy Administration Summer 2019

Grant Announcements – Apply Today

FY 20 Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Program (AFIP) is open and accepting applications till December 31, 2019. FY 20 AFIP contains new terms and conditions, as a result of the Chapter 757 of the 2019 Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland (Clean Energy Jobs Act). Please consult the program guidelines for additional information.

Clean Energy Rebate Program, formerly the Clean Energy Grant Program is now open and accepting applications.  This rebate program serves both the residential and a commercial markets. Learn more here.

FY 20  Solar Parking Canopy grant is open and accepting applications till September 7, 2018. The Solar Canopy Grant Program combines Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard goal for solar with the State’s ongoing support of electric vehicle infrastructure. Read about the new solar canopy at Fitzgerald Auto Mall, funded in part from MEA.

Two FY 20 offshore wind grants are now open: Maryland Offshore Wind Capex program with allotted funds of $1.6 million dollars and Maryland Offshore Wind Workforce Training Program with allotted funds of $1.2 million dollars. Application deadline for both programs: October 1, 2019. Read more here.

FY 20 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Rebate Program 2.0 applications are currently being processed for payment. Waitlisted FY19 applications will be processed in the order they were received. Via this program residents, governments and businesses can acquire a state rebate for purchasing and installing an electric vehicle charging equipment. Learn more here.

A total of $1.25 million in funding available for Commercial Industrial & Agricultural energy upgrade projects. Application deadline is Oct. 15 2019. For a full list of eligible projects and your applications, click here. To learn more about the stages of the grant, click here.

Data Center Energy Efficiency Grant Program (DCEEG) is the first of its kind program in the U.S., from a state energy office. This grant advocates for energy efficiency measures specifically for data centers that use  100 – 200 x more energy than a standard office. The FY 20 grant application deadline is January 10, 2020. DCEEG was a finalist for the Global Data Center Awards last December. Maryland’s data center program was one of six total U.S. finalists and the only program nominated from a U.S. state energy office.

The FY  2020 Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program  launches today Thursday August 1, 2019, click here. This program continues to support Maryland non-profit organizations, local governments, and businesses. This year, MEA introduced a bill (House Bill 170)  during the 2019 legislative session which allows State Agencies to apply for the Lawton Loan Program. By accommodating State agencies, the revised Lawton format replaces the State Agency Loan Program.

Governor Hogan and MEA Director Mary Beth Tung in the MEA hybrid car. Photo credit Governor’s office

Agency Info & Reminders

In June, Governor Larry Hogan today signed the “Maryland Leads by Example” Executive Order, which directs the Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) and MEA to develop and manage an energy savings initiative in state-owned buildings. Read more here and look for new information soon on the MEA website.

Applications for the FY 19 Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit Program are still being accepted until January 15, 2020. Maryland made national news in 2017 as the first state in the country to pass a bill allowing taxpayers to claim an income tax credit on energy storage devices. This program encourage the deployment of energy storage systems. Energy storage devices function as battery back-ups, which can be used in conjunction with or without renewable energy sources.

MEA helped develop the Maryland Consumers Guide to Solar, designed to be a resource for Maryland residents considering home solar. This guide has all the information you need to know when considering solar from system type to financing options. Download this free 78 page guide today, click here.

Upcoming Events – Join Us

MEA will exhibit at Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Summer Conference, August 14 – 17, booth #215 and MEA Director Tung will speak on the panel, Keeping Clean Energy Green Energy, Thursday, August 15 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Stop by to visit our team and learn about how you can engage in our energy grant programs. Learn more about our MACoCon 2019 offerings here.

Maryland Clean Energy Summit will be held Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at the College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. MEA Director Tung and other MEA energy subject matter experts will be speaking. Learn more about state of clean energy in Maryland, network with industry peers, register today, click here.