![[photo, Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/14doe/images/1198-1-653.jpg)
Origins of the Maryland Energy Administration trace to 1973 when the Governor by Executive Order formed the Office of Energy Policy. Thereafter, the Energy and Coastal Zone Administration was established by the Department of Natural Resources in 1975, and by law in 1976 (Chapter 320, Acts of 1976). The Administration reformed in 1979 as the Energy Administration, and in 1982, as the Energy Office. From the Department of Natural Resources the Office transferred to the Department of Housing and Community Development in 1987 (Chapter 311, Acts of 1987). The Office was abolished in 1991, when the Maryland Energy Administration was created as an independent agency (Chapter 468, Acts of 1991).
Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, Maryland, February 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
During energy supply disruptions and emergencies, the Administration participates in security and contingency planning for Maryland's energy supplies and infrastructure. To minimize energy supply shortages resulting from natural disaster or terrorist action, it participates in emergency preparedness training and may set aside petroleum fuels in an emergency. For power plants, transmission lines, substations, pipelines for natural gas and petroleum, and storage facilities, the Administration works with federal, regional and State authorities to develop protection plans. It is the lead agency for implementing alternative fuel policy (National Energy Policy Act of 1992).
The Director of the Administration is appointed by the Governor (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-2001 through 9-2005).
Work of the Administration is carried on by three divisions: Energy Policy, Planning and Analysis; Energy Programs; and Finance and Administration.
The Energy Programs Division began as two separate divisions: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (which reformed as Clean Energy in 2008). In 2013, the two divisions merged to form the Energy Programs Division.
Under Energy Programs are Clean Energy Biomass; Commercial and Industrial Deep Retrofits; Energy Programs; the Kathleen A. P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Grant Program; Low- and Moderate-Income Community Grants; Maryland Smart Energy Communities; Net Zero Energy Schools, Commercial and Industrial; Residential and Commercial Clean Energy Grants; Solar Programs; State Buildings and Energy Code; and Transportation Bio-Heat and Clean Production Tax Credits.
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ENERGY PROGRAMS
KATHLEEN A. P. MATHIAS AGRICULTURE ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANT PROGRAM
JANE E. LAWTON CONSERVATION LOAN PROGRAM
LOW-/MODERATE-INCOME COMMUNITY GRANTS
MARYLAND SMART ENERGY COMMUNITIES
SOLAR PROGRAMS & GRID RESILIENCY
STATE BUILDINGS & ENERGY CODE
To promote the efficient use of energy, State Buildings and Energy Code works with State and local government agencies. It promotes the use of energy performance contracts, and carefully reviews new construction and renovation plans for government buildings.
State Agency Loan Program. Managed by this office, the Program provides zero-percent interest loans to State agencies for cost-effective energy improvements in State facilites. Under this program, lighting, controls, and heating and cooling equipment have been upgraded in State buildings.
For infrastructure improvements, training, and maintenance, State Government Energy Efficiency arranges private financing to State and local government agencies. The savings realized from energy upgrades are used to service the debt arranged through the Energy Performance Contract agreement.
TRANSPORTATION BIO-HEAT & CLEAN PRODUCTION TAX CREDITS
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ENERGY PROGRAMS DIVISION
To commercial, industrial, and institutional consumers, the Maryland Energy Administration provides financial assistance to undertake energy efficiency upgrades or conduct energy assessments and measures. Through the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program businesses receive loans to identify and install energy conservation improvements. Borrowers use the savings from reduced operating costs to repay the loans.
To reduce the amount Maryland farmers spend on petroleum products, gasoline, diesel fuels, natural gas, and other fuels, the Maryland Energy Administration provides energy assessments to farms, and offers cash rebates for the installation of energy efficient equipment. Farms with higher energy use and a higher potential for energy savings must commit to installing the measures recommended in the energy assessment.
Maryland Smart Energy Communities promotes energy efficiency in homes. It educates consumers about energy efficient products through the Energy Star Program. It also works with heating and air conditioning contractors to size and install energy-efficient equipment in homes.
Solar Programs and Grid Resiliency promotes the use of renewable solar and geothermal energy technologies as clean sources of new electricity generation. Grants are available to Maryland householders to install renewable systems in their homes.
State Buildings and Energy Code began as State Government Energy Efficiency, reformed as State Government Energy Efficiency and Energy Assurance, and adopted its present name in 2015.
Transportation Bio-Heat and Clean Production Tax Credits originated as Transportation Programs, became Transportation Bio-Fuels and Clean Production Programs in 2011, and adopted its present name in 2015. This office works to reduce fuel consumption through programs that promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles and energy efficiency in transportation. With other State and federal agencies and private associations, the office encourages the use of low-emission vehicles and development of alternative fuels.
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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us