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Application Extension for Three Maryland Energy Infrastructure Programs

The application deadline for all of the the Maryland Energy Infrastructure Programs has been extended to Wednesday, December 11, 2019. $3.7 million has been allocated to assist with energy projects that help to promote natural gas distribution in the State via three grant programs (see below). Updated grant applications can be found here.

Maryland Anchor Customer Program
This program issues grants from the Maryland Gas Expansion Fund (“MGEF”) to commercial, industrial, state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit energy consumers in Maryland.  MGEF is a merger benefit resource held in a subaccount of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (“SEIF”). The Maryland Energy Administration administers the Maryland Anchor Customer Program. The purpose of these grants is to assist with energy projects that help to promote natural gas distribution. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. However, priority will be given to applicants who own and/or operate State facilities on the Lower Eastern Shore in Maryland.

Maryland Local Distribution Company
This program issues matching grants from the Maryland Gas Expansion Fund (“MGEF”) to licensed Local Distribution Companies (“LDCs”) to aid in natural gas expansion in Maryland. MGEF is a merger benefit resource held as a subaccount of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (“SEIF”). The Maryland Energy Administration administers the Program. The purpose of these grants is to assist with energy projects that help to promote natural gas distribution.

Maryland Cost in Aid of Construction Dispensation Fund 
This program issues grants from the Maryland Gas Expansion Fund (“MGEF”) to Local Distribution Companies (“LDCs”) for the purpose of avoiding cross-subsidization of costs for natural gas expansion. MGEF is a merger benefit resource held as a subaccount of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (“SEIF”). The Maryland Energy Administration (“MEA”) administers the CDF Program. These grants are designed to help a LDCs create and fund their own “Cost in the Aid of Construction (“CIAC”) Dispensation Fund,” dedicated to help promote natural gas distribution by defraying costs associated with installing natural gas infrastructure from the end of the utility’s asset to the customer’s meter – sometimes referred to as the “last mile” charge.

 

NOTE: PSC Order 88631​ provided MEA funding to incentivize natural gas infrastructure expansion within Maryland. These funds have certain provisions which require a majority of the funds be expended within the Washington Gas and Light (“WGL”) service area. All applications should indicate whether they are for projects within or outside the WGL service area.