The project supports efforts yielding rapid financial returns to the County or substantial progress towards established environmental goals, such as energy savings, renewable energy installations, greenhouse gas reductions, and waste diversion. The County conducted energy assessments and other analysis to identify resource and cost savings opportunities in County facilities that will inform project scheduling. In addition, the County is preparing a comprehensive sustainability plan with specific programs and actions to reduce the environmental footprint of County operations and reduce costs. This project will provide funds to target rapid return on investment energy conservation projects; provide ancillary funds to support the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on County facilities; augment other energy conservation projects (e.g., funding incremental costs of higher efficiency equipment); support energy and sustainability master planning for County facilities and operations; leverage federal, state, and local grant funding; and provide funds to leverage public-private partnerships and third-party resources.

Projects are identified and scheduled based on energy savings potential, reduced maintenance costs, overall cost savings, and quantifiable environmental benefits.

FY23 project cost increases to reflect supplemental in Utility Incentives for the amount of $975,000. Prior year cost savings of $100,000 in G.O. Bonds recognized.

This program is integral to the County's cost-containment efforts. Generally, projects will pay for themselves in one to ten years, with short payback initiatives being targeted to reduce pressure on the operating budget. The program also funds incremental costs in staff, planning, contractor support, analytics and other efforts to increase the impact of the County's overall energy and sustainability projects. The program is necessary to fulfill the mandate of the County's building energy design standards (8-14a), Council Bill 2-14 Energy Performance Benchmarking, Council Bill 5-14 Social Cost of Carbon, Council Bill 6-14 Office of Sustainability, and Council Bill 8-14 Renewable Energy Technology. Significant reductions in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, solid waste, water consumption, and maintenance are expected.

A FY18 supplemental of $819,000 in Utility Incentives was approved.
FY23 supplemental in Utility Incentives for the amount of $975,000.

Expenditures will continue indefinitely. The County Executive asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.

Department of General Services, - Advanced Energy Initiative, and Energy Modernization Program.