The Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 established a statewide building energy performance standard​ (BEPS) that requires certain buildings to achieve incremental reductions in net direct greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately resulting in: 

Buildings 35,000 square feet or larger (excluding the parking garage area) will be subject to the forthcoming BEPS regulation. Historic properties, public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, manufacturing buildings, and agricultural buildings are exempt. Owners of buildings covered by the law also will need to report energy use data to the Department of the Environment each year beginning in 2025. 

The BEPS is expected to affect approximately 9,500 buildings across Maryland. To assist with compliance, MEA is creating the Maryland Clean Buildings Hub (the Hub). It will serve as a free, one-stop-shop containing relevant information and resources, such as federal, state, and local building decarbonization incentives. The Hub also will provide a list of qualified local vendors that can deliver building decarbonization technologies and solutions, catalyze peer learning networks, and provide educational programming. 

The Hub is currently under construction. MEA is seeking feedback from Maryland’s building community - i.e. owners/operators representing buildings covered by the BEPS as well as those not covered by the BEPS - on the types of resources that will help them take action to reduce on-site energy use and GHG emissions. This data will help MEA understand market needs, which will in turn help shape the Hub’s scope and strategy. 

If you have further questions, please submit your inquiry to building.decarbonization@maryland.gov.​

Sign up for the Maryland Clean Buildings Hub Newsletter here​.