2013 Agendaread full 2013 Agenda
Highlights from the 2013 Advocacy Agenda
Require energy labels on state and local government buildings
- State and local governments should be required to post the Energy Star rating of each government owned building at the front door. Buildings use 74% of all electricity in the U.S., and government can raise consciousness about the need to reduce energy use by posting the Energy Star ratings of state and local government buildings.
Expand High Performance Buildings Act to recipients of state aid
- The State's existing High Performance Building Act, which currently applies to State owned and leased property, should be expanded so that any new building or major building renovation funded solely or partly by grant of State aid of $100,000 or more would be required to be built as a green building.
Increase cool roofs and vegetated roofs to reduce heat island effect
- New government buildings and major renovations of existing government buildings that include a replacement of the roof should use a light colored roofing material or vegetated green roof on not less than 75% of the roof. Counties and municipalities should be authorized to grant incentives to encourage the use of green roofs on privately owned buildings.
Encourage energy efficiency on bill-financing program
- The Maryland Energy Administration and Public Service Commission should be authorized to administer a financing program for utilities to extend low- or no-interest loans to qualifying residential and commercial customers for energy-efficiency upgrades of up to $25,000 for residential and $50,000 for commercial. An energy audit would be a prerequisite of obtaining a loan, which would be repaid directly to utility company though a charge on monthly utility bill. The utility companies could receive renewable energy credits in exchange for interest-free loans to customers.
Encourage local adoption of International Green Construction Code
- Local jurisdictions should adopt the International Green Construction Code, with appropriate local amendments, as an alternative compliance path to be used at the election of a project owner.
Recognize Baltimore City and Howard County's Green Building Laws
- A building constructed in accordance with the Baltimore City Green Building Standards or Howard County Green neighborhood standards should be recognized as "high performance building" satisfying the requirement for green building, as prescribed in the State Finance and Procurement Article.
Support comprehensive funding plan for Baltimore City public schools
- State and Baltimore City legislation should support consistent annual funding for 30 years to enable leveraged financing for comprehensive renovation or replacement of Baltimore City's Schools. With the physical condition of 70% of Baltimore City Schools rated as poor, an innovative approach is needed to enable a district-wide renovation or replacement of the City's aging schools for a healthy place to learn and a more sustainable future.
Encourage LEED-based water efficiency standards and solar installations to lower storm water fees
- Baltimore City and the nine other jurisdictions required to adopt Local Watershed Protection and Restoration Funds under the storm water fee provisions in HB987 should ensure that LEED-based water efficiency standards are included as credits to lower storm water fees.
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