Maryland Energy Administration Launches Maryland Energy Infrastructure Program

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) today announced the return of the Maryland Energy Infrastructure Program (MEIP) with the launch of the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) program, aiming to expand natural gas offerings statewide. Natural gas is a more environmentally-friendly alternative to fuels that are delivered by diesel trucks. It also offers significant reductions in greenhouse gas and particulate emissions when compared to some competitors, while offering the end user significant savings on fuel costs. A total of $7.5 million is available during FY22, which will be dispersed between two areas of interest (“AOI”): AOI1 is for Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) and AOI2 is for Maryland Anchor Customers (MACs). This competitive program will be accepting applications until 11:59 PM EST, December 15, 2021.

Up to $5,000,000 is available for MACs to invest in assets that assist in converting their operations to natural gas, reintegrating former natural gas customers who no longer possess functional natural gas infrastructure, and benefitting existing customers not presently utilizing their natural gas infrastructure or are seeking to expand their energy demand. Past and potential projects include commercial HVAC upgrades, compressed natural gas fueling stations, and steam plant conversions. MEA anticipates prioritizing approximately $2,500,000 for projects in Maryland Public Schools. Maryland businesses, State agencies, local governments, non-profit organizations, residential and commercial condominium associations, homeowners’ associations, as well as apartment complexes (and their developers) can apply for funding under this program.

A full list of projects funded in the FY20 Maryland Anchor Customer Program can be found here.

Up to $2,500,000 is available for LDCs to invest in assets that distribute natural gas for new customers, the reintegration of previous customers who no longer use natural gas service, and to benefit existing customers who are not presently utilizing their natural gas infrastructure. LDCs that presently hold a state or federal license to operate natural gas infrastructure in Maryland are eligible. MEA will offer a dollar-for-dollar match for hard or soft assets up to $600,000. All hard assets–such as piping, city gates, compression stations, locators, couplings, and pigs–must be installed and operated in Maryland. New for this year, MEA will pay up to $70,000 or 20% of the total project cost for design, planning and procurement. 

Additional information about the program, including the application, can be found here. Please contact program manager David Giusti at David.Giusti1@maryland.gov or (410) 913-2387, or call 1-800-72-ENERGY if you have other questions about MEA.

The MEIP program stems from the Maryland Gas Expansion Fund, a merger-benefit resource that is held as a sub-account of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF). For more information on these grants, click here. 

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Maryland Energy Administration

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 and 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 and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.