The Kathleen A. P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program
What is the program? |
What projects are eligible? |
How do I apply? |
The Mathias Ag Program provides grants up to 75 percent of cost to farms/businesses in the agriculture sector for energy efficiency upgrades, after all other incentives have been applied. For more information, read our Goals and Incentives. |
For more information, see our Project Requirements. |
Download the pdf application form, then complete it and submit according to the instructions provided. Applications must be submitted by the Sept. 28, 2012 deadline. For details, read How to Apply. Questions? See our Application Information Q&A document. |
Goals and Incentives
 |
Related programs |
Read the press release |
MEA is supporting showcase energy efficiency projects in the agriculture sector. Through the Kathleen A.P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program (Mathias Ag Program), MEA will distribute grants ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 to assist with the costs of installing eligible energy efficiency technologies. The measures must enable a minimum 15 percent energy savings in the buildings or areas where they are installed. MEA will showcase these projects as case studies within the agriculture sector. MEA will award at least $600,000 in grants funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Buildings program in partnership with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Be SMART program in autumn 2012, and anticipates granting 10-15 awards for this one-time program. Under the rules of the federal funds, all projects must be completed by April 1, 2013 and invoiced by May 1, 2013.
This program is dedicated to the memory of Kathleen Arlee "Kathy" Petry Mathias, of Ocean City, who passed away Aug. 15, 2011 after a battle with cancer. The wife of Maryland State Senator James N. Mathias Jr., Kathy was an inexhaustible advocate for Maryland’s Eastern Shore and its farming community.
Project Requirements
Farms and businesses in the agriculture sector may apply. Examples include dairy, orchard, poultry/egg, greenhouse, vegetable, animal, vineyard, grain dryer, processor, sawmill, and aquaculture. If you are uncertain about your eligibility, call EnSave at (800) 732-1399 to see if you meet the definition.
- The energy efficiency measures must be installed by April 1, 2013.
- Final invoices must be submitted to MEA by May 1, 2013.
- Completed upgrades must be estimated to achieve at least 15 percent energy savings for that treated/upgraded space — whether it is the whole building, particular units, or common areas (see Application Information Q&A question one).
- Eligible projects include:
- Insulation
- Ventilation
- Lighting
- Motors and VSDs
- Irrigation
- Refrigeration
- HVAC upgrades
- More
- For a complete list, refer to the List of Approved Measures on the Mathias Ag Program application form.
- Awardees (successful applicants) must cover at least 25 percent of the net project cost after all grants and incentives from other sources have been applied.
- All projects will need to comply with DOE and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) program special terms and conditions.
How to Apply
Electronic applications are preferred. If you are unable to send electronic applications, the MEA will accept a hard copy.
- Download the Mathias Ag Program application form form. (The application is best edited with Adobe Reader X. Download Adobe Reader at get.adobe.com/reader.) If you have trouble with the pdf version, you may download the Word version of the application form.
- Electronic applications must be emailed by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 to: MathiasAgProgram@sra.com.
- Hard copy applications also must be received at MEA by Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Mail to:
Maryland Energy Administration
Attn: Mathias Ag Program
60 West Street, Suite 300
Annapolis, MD 21401
Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Some method of package receipt confirmation is highly recommended for both electronic and hard copy submissions. MEA is not responsible for lost or late applications. Awards will be announced by Nov. 2012.
- Applicant must have verifiable Dun & Bradstreet number (D-U-N-S).
- Applicant must complete all applicable forms in accordance with the instructions.
- Applicant must develop a monthly project spending plan to include milestones that ensure expenditure of project funds.
- Applicant must agree to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 special terms and conditions. These include, among other requirements, Davis Bacon Act wage rates for all project contractors.
- Applicant must be approved to do business and be in good standing in the State of Maryland.
- For Certificate of Status information please see the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation website.
Selection Criteria
These factors will be weighed in the selection of projects eligible for grant funding:
- Project feasibility: Can the project be completed in the available construction window? Will it result in a minimum 15 percent energy savings?
- Energy savings: How high are the likely energy savings from the proposed measure(s)?
- Simple payback: How many years will it take to recover the cost of the investment without incentives? (Project cost divided by annual energy savings in dollars. For example: a project saving 400,000 kWh per year at $0.10 per kWh and a $50,000 project cost has a simple payback of 1.25 years ($50,000/$40,000 = 1.25).
- Amount of matching (leveraged) funds: Is the applicant tapping additional funding sources to maximize the value of this grant?
- Accuracy of energy savings and cost information for the project: How accurate are the applicant’s estimates? Are assumptions behind the numbers clearly stated, to enable the Mathias Ag Program team to evaluate the project?
- Best practices/showcase project: MEA is looking for projects that demonstrate energy efficiency best practices in various capacities in order to expand energy efficiency in the agriculture sector.
MEA also reserves the right to select applications that allow for a broad diversity in the project portfolio. Factors such as measure type, geographic region, and agricultural market will be considered.
Additional Information
Useful application information, including questions that have been submitted from potential applicants to the Mathias Ag Program, is available in the following Q&A:
If you have any additional questions about this program please submit them to Dean Fisher, MEA Energy Efficiency Program Manager, at dfisher@energy.state.md.us.