AVAILABLE: 1% Interest Rate Loans for Energy Improvement Projects

Power you organization’s economic recovery with programs from the Maryland Energy Administration

The newest cycle of Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program (Lawton Loan) is now open and accepting applications. The Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) program has been updated to be  responsive to the current pandemic and support our #MarylandStrong recovery.  This program provides eligible borrowers with loans that typically range from $5,000 – $200,000 to identify and install energy conservation measures and improvements in their facilities. Borrowers can then use the cost savings generated by added improvements as the primary source of revenue for repaying the loans. This neutral budget impact makes the program an attractive financing opportunity for many organizations.

Changes for FY21 include: 

• 1% Interest rate for all non-state agencies
• 0% Interest rate for all local governments and their instrumentalities
• New application format  to aide in digital submission
• Microloans for cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades up to $40,000 with a maximum term length of five years
• Loan amounts will be capped at $200,000 for all non-state agencies 

A total of $2,050,000 is available and will be divided during the first half of the fiscal year. State agencies have access to a $1,200,000 set-aside and the remaining $850,000 is reserved for non-profits, local governments, and qualified Maryland businesses. Additionally, $205,000 has been set aside, exclusively for non-profit organizations for the first three months of the fiscal year (till October 31, 2020). All funds for this program are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The last round of this program saw changes as well with  the passing of House Bill 170 that expanded this program to allow state agencies access, and rolling in the State Agency Loan Program to streamline offerings. 

The Lawton Loan is named for the late Maryland Delegate Jane E. Lawton in recognition of her dedication to preserving the environment and prioritizing energy efficiency. Further details  and applications can be found here, please contact program manager David Giusti via email or phone at 410.913.2387 if you have additional questions. 

To read about other program changes that MEA has implemented to better help drive economic growth and recovery, click here to read about our COVID-19 response.