Changes in Store for Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) will launch the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program  on Thursday August 1, 2019. This program continues to support Maryland non-profit organizations, local governments, and businesses. This year, MEA introduced a bill (House Bill 170)  during the 2019 legislative session which allows State Agencies to apply for the Lawton Loan Program. By accommodating State agencies, the revised Lawton format replaces the State Agency Loan Program.

The 2020 Lawton Loan program will have $2,050,00 dollars in funding available to entities across the state. To ensure balanced access to funds across all sectors, dedicated funds will be set aside for the first six months of the fiscal year. During this period, State agencies will enjoy exclusive access to a $1,200,000 dollars set-aside, and simultaneously, non-profits, local governments, and qualified Maryland businesses will have access to an allowance of $850,000 dollars.  Of that amount, $205,000 dollars will be reserved for non-profit organizations for the first three months of the fiscal year. After the first three months, the non-profit reservation is lifted. After six months, the set-asides for State agencies versus all other sectors are lifted so that applicants may apply for the remaining, co-mingled balance on a first-come-first-served basis. 

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) 537-4072 or call 1-800-72-ENERGY.