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Why does saving energy matter?
 | | Frederick County, MD: Energy Success Story |
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View this 5-minute video featuring Frederick County Commissioner David Gray and Sustainability Director Hilari Varnadore as they illustrate why saving energy is important to Frederick County Government and why it should matter to you too. This video was produced by EcoMedia/CBS with support from the National Association of Counties. | |
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Energy Grant Supports Green Building Training |  |
The County's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant supported green building exam preparation for 4 individuals working toward the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED-Green Associate professional accreditation.
This year, Kelli Goetz, Kendall Klosky, Lisa Orr and Hilari Varnadore each completed green building training and passed their LEED-GA exams! Margie Lance, a Sustainability Commission member and recent County retiree, also passed the LEED-GA exam during this same time period.
Congratulations all!
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| Resources |
(Renewable Energy & Sustainable Development BLOG)
Green Building Institute
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Meet Our Green Ambassadors
If you would like to connect with a Green Ambassador in your community, send email to GreenHomes and we will forward it on. |  | |
Tom Anderson
Dickerson United Methodist Church
Kendall Klosky
Spring Ridge
Joanna Lohr
All Saints Episcopal Church
Zohreh Marchitelli
Curtis & Dawn Nelson
Myersville
Omari Patterson
Spring Ridge
Cari-Ann Yarmus
Middletown
Laurie Zook Hessian/Canon Hill, Frederick
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Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources staff: (L to R) Kelli Goetz, Tyler Harshman, Lisa Orr, Shannon Moore, Heather Montgomery, Jessica Hunicke, Hilari Varnadore, Manager. |
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Greetings!
Change is in the air! Despite our recent snow, springtime feels right around the corner. If you are considering home improvement projects as the seasons change, take a look at all of the financing and incentives available for home energy improvements (article below)! And if you haven't done so already, download our free Power Saver Handbook; in the handbook you'll find a catalog of energy saving actions, including many no- to low-cost options.
The Sustainability Office is pleased to announce a change to our organizational structure. Last month, the Board of County Commissioners created a new Community Development Division, led by Director Eric Soter. The new division merges planning, zoning, development review, permits, inspections, economic development, sustainability and watershed management functions.
The new Sustainability and Environmental Resources Office merges the Watershed Management Section (previously in the Division of Public Works) and the Sustainability Office (previously in the County Manager's Office). Our staff list includes:
Hilari Varnadore, Manager, Sustainability and Environmental Resources
Shannon Moore, Watershed Management Section Head
Jessica Hunicke, Project Manager
Heather Montgomery, Community Restoration Coordinator
Kelli Goetz, Coordinator, Sustainability Outreach
Lisa Orr, Sustainability Program Coordinator
Tyler Harshman, Chesapeake Conservation Corps Volunteer
Kendall Klosky and Brittany Calderon, Interns
As always, if you have questions about our work or programs, please do not hesitate to contact me!
- Hilari Varnadore |
| Chesapeake Conservation Corps: Tyler Harshman Joins Staff | |
 Tyler Harshman joined our Office in late 2010 as our first Chesapeake Conservation Corps (CCC) Volunteer. Tyler applied to the new Americorps-like program created by the Chesapeake Bay Trust to gain work experience in the energy and environmental field. Tyler will be serving for one year working primarily on community energy initiatives. He is currently assisting Lisa Orr on the Green Homes Challenge program. Tyler graduated from College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine with a degree in Human Ecology with a focus on sustainable business management. He is a Washington County resident.
We are in the process of applying for a Year 2 CCC Volunteer. For more information about serving as a volunteer or host organization with the Chesapeake Conservation Corps, click here. The CCC pairs young adults with non-profit organizations, local governments, and other types of host organizations that can provide hands-on environmental, leadership and technical training opportunities. The Volunteer receives a stipend for a one-year term of service. Host organization applications are due March 18.
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| FINANCING HOME ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS: Home Energy Loan Program |
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The Clean Energy Center launched HELP with funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. |
Taking action on home energy improvement projects just got easier for Maryland households with the recent launch of the Home Energy Loan Program. Unsecured loans from $2,500 to $20,000 are available to owner-occupied primary residences on a first come, first serve basis. According to the www.mcecloans.org web site, the interest rate for the program is 6.99% with an amortization of 10-years; a loan amount of $7,000 would have a monthly payment of $81.24. Depending on the project, your monthly energy savings could cover the cost of the loan.
For more information on the MD-HELP, call 301-738-6280 or email loans@mdcleanenergy.org.
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HOME PERFORMANCE & ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Rebates & Tax Incentives | |
Home Performance Rebate Program
For a limited time, Maryland residents can save big on home energy efficiency improvements! The Maryland Energy Administration's Home Performance Rebate program offers homeowners bigger rebates than ever for home energy efficiency improvements. By combining a 35% rebate (up to $3,100 total) from the Maryland Energy Administration with a 15% rebate from your utility, you can save a total of 50% on home energy improvements. Funding for the rebates is limited so act quickly. Information about other possible residential financial incentives may be found on the Maryland Clean Energy website. Learn about Allegheny Power/First Energy utility rebates and home performance programs.
Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives - Changes for 2011
On December 17, 2010, President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. This law extends the tax credits for energy efficiency into 2011, BUT at lower levels. The levels revert back to those in effect in 2006 and 2007, which were 10% of the cost of the improvement, up to $500, with a $200 maximum for windows, and several other set maximums.
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has put together a fact sheet with detailed information about current federal incentives for 2010 and 2011. Remember, your tax professional is best qualified to advise you regarding taxes, tax credits, and other financial matters.
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| GREEN HOMES CHALLENGE: Roll-out Update | |
In January, the Board of County Commissioners officially launched the Green Homes Challenge and it has been gaining momentum ever since! The Challenge kicked off with the first of three Challenges, Be a Power Saver, which appeals to residents to "Save Our Energy, and Bank Your Money!"
Local media, including WHAG TV, FCG TV, and in the Frederick News-Post, the FNP Green quarterly, The Gazette, Want2Dish, and other community newsletters, have been spreading the word about the Challenge. Challenge coordinators have also informed all Frederick County municipal leaders about how they can launch the Power Saver Challenge in their communities. So far, the towns of Emmitsburg, Myersville, and Mt. Airy are taking the lead!
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The Emmitsburg Business & Professional Assoc. members pledge to be Power Savers at the conclusion of their Powerware Party. |
To date, 92 residents have registered for the Power Saver Challenge. Seventy-six have participated in six of its signature Powerware Parties, fun, interactive gatherings that inform participants about how American households use energy and strategies to reduce energy use and utility bills. Communities who have hosted or scheduled Powerware Parties include Frederick Community College, All Saints Episcopal Church, Spring Ridge, and the Emmitsburg Business and Professional Association. Each month, Frederick County will also host a Powerware Party for any interested resident. The next Party, which will take place in Winchester Hall, 12 E. Church St. in Frederick, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, 7 - 8:30pm. Contact Lisa Orr to register (301-600-6864).
Each of the three Green Homes Challenges has corresponding certification programs. Certified households are eligible for incentives and prizes and will be recognized by County officials and through media venues. Challenge 2, Be a Green Leader, and Challenge 3, Be a Renewable Star, will launch later in 2011.
 
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| GREEN AMBASSADORS: Volunteers Promote Green Homes Challenge |
Powerware Parties and Green Ambassadors are the primary vehicles for rolling out the Green Homes Challenge to communities and affiliated groups such as businesses, faith communities, and neighborhood associations. Green Ambassadors serve as volunteer leaders for one year promoting the Challenge within their chosen community, hosting Powerware Parties, disseminating resources, and organizing informational events, workshops or "Green Teams" that meet regularly to provide on-going support. Both Powerware Party Hosts and Green Ambassadors are rewarded with free Comprehensive Watt Watchers home energy audits.
Since launching the Challenge, interest in the Green Ambassador leadership opportunity has exceeded expectations! Twenty eight individuals have expressed interest; 11 have become official and are already taking steps to become oriented and begin work in their communities! See photos at left. If you are interested in serving as a Green Ambassador, read the Green Ambassador Host Packet and submit the Application Form to Lisa Orr.
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THE CARBON CORNER:
Are Electric Vehicles Truly Zero Emission Vehicles? |
 Yes and no. A plug-in electric vehicle is a zero emissions vehicle - zero tailpipe emissions, which means significantly less pollution added to the atmosphere in the driving locale. But zero tailpipe emissions do not mean zero emissions. "Electric vehicles just shift emissions from the tailpipe to the smokestack," many critics claim. Both of these claims oversimplify the issue and do not accurately reflect the potential impact of electric vehicles on greenhouse gas emissions.
In reality, electric vehicles shift emissions from the tailpipe to the smokestack, nuclear reactor, hydroelectric dam, wind farm and many other sources of electric power. Ultimately, the impact of electric vehicles on greenhouse gas emissions is a function of the electric generation mix in a given region. Using the U.S. average generation mix with an emissions factor of .65 kg of CO2 per kWh, electric vehicles produce less life cycle emissions compared to conventional gasoline vehicles. In subregions where coal is less than 50% of the fuel mix, for example the Northeast and California, life cycle emissions will be much lower. The greatest emissions reductions from electric vehicles as a whole will come when U.S. regions move toward electricity generated from more renewable fuels rather than coal.
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MYTHBUSTERS:
MYTH - The winter range of electric vehicles is so limited that they aren't a reliable form of transportation year round. |  The Nisson Leaf's official site states that even in stop and go traffic in cold weather (14F) the Leaf will get a 62 mile range giving you plenty of power to get home for a charge. But what about a bad storm where you could get caught in your car for hours? The Leaf battery will hold up for more than 4 hours in these worst case conditions.
Worry about EV battery range in winter is not completely unfounded. Companies are already working on "winterizing" packages for vehicles and many EV enthusiast sites have ideas on do it yourself kits for cars currently available. A local example of adapting EVs to the cold can be found on our own Fort Detrick where they are using solar energy to keep the vehicle batteries at a warmer temperature thus avoiding long start up times and loss of efficiency in the winter.
Have you heard a myth or urban legend related to sustainability and the environment that you would like resolved? Send it to sustainabilty@frederickcountymd.gov and we'll get to the bottom of it!
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| TOP PICKS: Online Tips & Resources for Sustainability |  Have Smart Phone? Get Light Bulbs!
LIGHT BULB FINDER is a free mobile phone application that makes it easy to switch from conventional light bulbs to energy-saving equivalents with the right fit, style and light quality. Carry your phone from room to room to inventory your light bulb needs. View bulb images, cost, savings, and environmental impact. Create shopping lists, and buy bulbs directly through the app or at local stores. Check it out! Watch this video to see how it works!
For Kids:
Journey for the Planet
This book takes middle school age children on a journey to help the planet. Animal guides teach children learn how to live an Earth-friendly life and how to take action over a five week period to use our Earth's precious and limited natural resources with greater care. This book is a good resource for teachers, scout leaders, or after-school programs. Learn more about it or order copies here!
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The Frederick County Sustainability and Environmental Resources Office advances practical solutions for protecting the environment, conserving energy, and living sustainably in Frederick County.
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