MEA Makes NetZero Schools Happen

On September 17, 2021, Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) Energy Program Manager, Garry Aime, and Assistant Division Director of Energy Programs, Jenn Gallicchio, visited two of Baltimore City Public Schools’ (BCPS) NetZero projects: Graceland Park/O’Donnell Heights Elementary/Middle and Holabird Academy Elementary and Middle School. Each school received more than $2 million in grant support from MEA’s NetZero Schools Program that supports the development of NetZero Energy Schools within the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) service area.

Through the merger of Constellation Energy (the parent company of BGE) and Exelon Corporation, the Customer Investment Fund (CIF) was established to deploy financial resources toward long-term energy efficiency and conservation goals. The NetZero Schools initiative was unique among the CIF projects in that each NetZero Schools project required a few extra energy design strategies, as well as standard energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The Maryland Public Service Commission approved the use of $9 million of CIF funding to enable the design and construction of net-zero energy public schools within the BGE service territory.

The installation of both schools was completed in mid-March of 2020, and they began operating at full capacity in August 2021. BCPS NetZero Schools recently earned a U.S Green Building Council LEED “Gold” designation for Graceland Park and Holabird. MEA intends to continue to monitor both schools for at least one year to verify NetZero achievement. Further plans are intended to continue outreach and education for these NetZero schools and the overarching CIF program. 

Please click here for more information about the Maryland Net Zero Energy School Initiative Grant Program.