Maryland Energy Administration Announces $4.8 Million in 2019 Grants for the Award Winning Clean Energy Communities Low-to-Moderate Income Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jahmai Sharp-Moore | 443-694-3651

Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) announced $4.8 million in grant funding for the Fiscal Year 2019 Clean Energy Communities Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Grant program. The funding was regionally distributed via 24 awards for cost-effective energy efficient upgrades to low-to-moderate income family homes in Maryland. Recently, MEA’s LMI program was recognized by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for the Social Equity award; a new category for 2019.

“Our administration is proud to see this worthy program receive the national recognition it deserves, for supporting energy efficient programs that improve the health and well being of Maryland’s families in need,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “This vital funding will address the energy needs of hundreds of homes in every region of our state.”

“This program highlights the unique partnerships between the state and local nonprofits working in concert to address not only energy efficient financial savings but also improve the long-term quality of life and health for the low-to-moderate income sector,” stated Mary Beth Tung, MEA Director.

Local governments and not-for-profit organizations apply for funding to complete energy efficiency projects specifically designed to serve low-to-moderate income Marylanders. Over $900 thousand dollars will be focused on Baltimore City to address energy upgrade needs for 127 homes and 10 buildings. Energy efficiency upgrades across the rest of the state are as follows: South Region with 224 homes and $1,253,012 dollars; Central Region with 219 homes and $1,706,524 dollars; Western Region with 61 and $400,000 dollars; and Eastern Region with 59 homes and $462,651 dollars. A full list of awardees can be found below:
LMI FY 19 Grant Listing

BlockChain Frontiers Foundation, Inc. (BFF) is a non-profit foundation located in Prince George’s County that works with communities to develop sustainable principles, policies, and programs to enhance citizen health and housing and/or reduce bills. BFF will use their 2019 grant of $728,500 to conduct energy audits and install cost-effective energy efficiency measures based on audit findings in a total of 93 homes. BFF has been awarded two grants and they will be serving families in need in the following counties Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s.

Frederick County Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources will use their 2019 award of $300,000 to conduct energy audits and install cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades for 39 low-to-moderate homes in Frederick County. Using a Whole Home/Whole Building approach they will provide education on both energy efficiency measures and energy conservation behaviors that together can maximize electricity and fuel reductions and cost savings.

SAFE Housing, Inc. is an organization that works to help economically disadvantaged people obtain or create safe, energy efficient housing. Utilizing their $323,400 grant, SAFE Housing will employ the Whole Home/Whole Building approach to upgrade and conduct energy audits on 42 homes in Carroll, Cecil and Harford Counties; estimated to achieve a 10-year payback. SAFE Housing will also service households that have been deferred due to health and safety concerns.

MEA’s innovative LMI program was highlighted by ACEEE as a nationally scalable program for nonprofits that serve the low-to-moderate income population. The program creates local jobs, leverages additional funding, and has helped to grow the network of nonprofit and local government providers assisting LMI communities across the State. Equally important, the LMI program generates cost-effective energy savings and fosters healthier and safer living spaces. The program accomplishes these outcomes in a highly ascendable format with active project involvement from MEA staff. This competitive program evaluates total energy savings, in all forms which opens up efficiency opportunities not eligible via other programs. Click link to read the full The New Leaders of the Pack: ACEEE’s Fourth National Review of Exemplary Energy Efficiency Programs report.

Established in 2010, the LMI Program encourages innovative ideas directed at helping communities, neighborhoods, or entire buildings take advantage of economies of scale. Projects are geographically located in all regions of the state and applications for proposed energy efficiency upgrades for this competitive program are submitted by nonprofit organizations and local governments that work directly with residents in need. For more information on this or past programs, visit the website here.  For general information on MEA and all our offerings, visit www.Energy.Maryland.gov.

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Maryland Energy Administration On behalf of Governor Hogan 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, 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.