Maryland Net Zero Energy School Initiative Grant Program
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The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) and the Public School Construction Program (PSCP) have partnered in a Net Zero School Initiative to construct three new net zero energy schools in Maryland. Through the 2012 merger of Constellation Energy, the parent company of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), and Exelon Corporation, a Customer Investment Fund (CIF) was established to provide financial resources for long term energy efficiency and conservation goals. The Maryland Public Service Commission, the State of Maryland's utility regulator, has approved the use of $9 million of CIF funding to create a program to enable the design and construction of three net zero energy public schools within the BGE service territory.
Schools were selected based on factors like the school district’s interest in the Net Zero Energy Schools Program, the proposed construction timeline, the location of the proposed school site, and the likelihood of the school achieving net zero energy status. All of the school sites had to be located within the BGE service territory.
All funds have been awarded and no new applications are being accepted for the net zero energy school program.
School districts selected to participate in the program will receive the following benefits:
- Funding to help offset the incremental costs of designing and constructing a net zero energy school
- Reduced utility costs over the life of the new school
- National recognition as one of very few schools to achieve net zero energy status, and
- A “living laboratory” that can be used to educate students, educators, and community members about energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
Current Program Status
The new Wilde Lake Middle School in Howard County has been fully constructed and after more than a year of operation, has been verified to have achieved net zero energy status. More information about the project can be found here.
Two new schools in Baltimore City, Graceland Park/O’Donnell Heights Elementary/Middle School and Holabird Elementary/Middle School, are in the process of being constructed as net zero schools. More information can be found at http://planning.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/UDARP%20Presentation%20-%20Holabird%20%2B%20Graceland%20032416.pdf.
Additional questions about the net zero energy schools program can be directed to 410-537-4069.
