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Did You Miss the Fall Issue of FNP's GREEN Magazine?
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RESOURCES for
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
IMPROVEMENTS
at HOME
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NEW!
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TWO OPTIONS
FOR
CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY AT HOME |  | |
Washington Gas
Energy Services'
program gives residential utility customers in Frederick County the option to choose electricity generated at regional wind farms for their homes. Click here for more information and to check the current rates for 1 and 2 year contracts with options for 50 - 100% of your electricity coming from wind power.
Constellation Energy
Constellation offers electricity supplied from wind farms located within the PJM control area. Rates are locked in for one year. Click here to check rates and sign up.
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BUSINESS RESOURCES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS & RENEWABLE ENERGY
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 EVENTS &TRAINING
Powerware Party
Wednesday, Jan. 9
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Free Monthly Nature Council Program:
Wings & Things
Presented by Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Sunday, Jan. 13
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Catoctin Creek Nature Center
Frederick County Sustainability Commission Meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 16
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Frederick Green Drinks
Wednesday, Jan. 16
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Catoctin Creek Field Survey
Volunteers Needed
Saturday, Jan. 19
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
301.600.2050
Frederick County Sustainability Commission Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 20
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Frederick Green Drinks
Wednesday, Feb. 20
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Frederick County Sustainability Commission Meeting
Wednesday, March 20
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Frederick Green Drinks
Wednesday, March 20
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Green Homes Challenge Recognition Event
Wednesday, March 27
Details coming soon...
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Making Connections
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 | | Winter near Burkittsville Photo by Lisa Orr |
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Greetings!
The 2013 Maryland General Assembly kicks off on January 9 and it will have plenty of New Year's resolutions! If it's anything like last year, our office will be very busy reviewing bills and determining their impacts to Frederick County Government, its citizens, and its environment.
Last year, a big bill that passed was Senate Bill 236, the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act, which was proposed by the Governor. This act lays out four tiers of development with restrictions applying to subdivisions on septic and sewer, particularly in Tiers III and IV. The act also enabled the Maryland Department of the Environment to develop two policies: the Septics Bill and the Accounting for Growth Policy. The Septics Bill became law on January 1 and requires new development on septic to install denitrification systems. According to the Frederick County Health Department, these systems cost $9,400 to $13,500 per installation, not including maintenance and operations. The Accounting for Growth policy requires new development to reduce its pollution load above and beyond existing laws and has been hotly contested by stakeholders; MDE asked for permission to postpone briefing the legislative committees in the Maryland House and Senate until September 2013. In the meantime, MDE plans to work out major issues with stakeholders.
I presented on this policy January 3rd to the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Conference along with the Secretary of MDE and the Chester Riverkeeper. I have since been asked to represent MACo as one of three county representatives on the evolution of the policy with Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Planning. Our office has put together an issue brief on the topic for people that would like to read more.
Last year, Maryland also passed incentives to encourage Waste-to-Energy plants as a form of renewable energy. The Governor's bill requiring a taxpayer subsidy to develop offshore wind power did not pass the Senate, despite intense activity and approval in the House. Maryland's interim goals for solar power installations increased. The "Flush Tax", or Bay Restoration Fee, doubled from $30-$60. Frederick County receives money from this Fund in the form of wastewater treatment plant upgrades and minimal septic upgrades (about 15 per year). County recycling goals were increased (Frederick County's execution rates are some of the best in the state already), and goals were set for multifamily buildings. Our office was also affected by HB987, which requires county governments with Phase I NPDES MS4 permits (we have one) to establish a system of charges for stormwater by July 1, 2013.
So what's happening in 2013? The Frederick County Delegation will have to decide if it will take up any of the proposed bills from the Board of County Commissioners, including sustainability-related proposals to exempt itself from the Stormwater Utility Fee; amend state Grading, Sediment, and Erosion Control Standards; exempt itself from state Forest Resource Ordinance Requirements; and require proof of identity to vote in the 2014 elections (the Frederick County Sustainability Commission measures voter participation as one of its sustainability indicators).
The Legislature is expected to hear bills related to hydraulic fracturing in Marcellus shale for natural gas. Last year a bill passed requiring drilling companies to evaluate environmental impacts from proposed drilling activity. A "Community Renewables" bill, which makes groups able to collectively purchase renewable energy projects and power, did not pass last year but will likely be revisited. Maryland Energy Administration will probably propose EmPOWER targets beyond 2015, which come from your utility bill and go towards energy efficiency projects. Offshore wind will likely be revisited. The Public Service Commission will make recommendations regarding electric and gas infrastructure improvements as a result of outages and fragility of the grid. In particular, the use of smart meters and infrastructure cost recovery will be discussed. Funding for the Chesapeake Bay TMDL (total maximum daily load- a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still safely meet water quality standards) will also be discussed. The Maryland Association of Counties has asked the Legislature to avoid passing more responsibilities on to Counties this year as we digest what we were given last year.
I can't predict the future, but I can tell you I will be watching closely as the legislature gets underway. Happy New Year!
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MCWA UPDATES
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 | | The Walnut Twig Beetle, a beetle associated with Thousand Cankers Disease |
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SOLARIZE FREDERICK COUNTY:
Myersville and Villages of Urbana selected for pilot project
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Residents and staff from the Villages of Urbana met with Green Ambassadors and OSER staff to the discuss Solarize initiative.
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Myersville and the Villages of Urbana were selected as finalist pilot communities for the Solarize Frederick County initiative. When Solarize Coordinator, Lisa Orr, and Solarize Green Ambassadors held site visits, they all agreed that both communities had so many positive attributes that they just had to include both! Myersville has three enthusiastic Green Ambassadors experienced with solar installations, a strong committee and communication infrastructure for engaging volunteers and residents, a supportive Mayor and town coordinator, and several hundred homes with good solar exposure. The Villages of Urbana also has established committee and communication infrastructure, a supportive HOA, enthusiastic residents and 2,600 newer homes. "We think we will learn a lot by offering this pilot project in two very different communities," said Orr; "It will be a fun challenge to see which community ends up with the higher percentage of participating households."
Solarize Frederick County will offer volume purchasing discounts and a limited number of incentive grants for both solar photovoltaic systems and solar hot water systems. While marketing and educational efforts will be concentrated in the pilot communities, during the enrollment period, any Frederick County household will be able to participate and take advantage of discounts and incentive grants. To keep informed about the initiative, visit the Green Homes Challenge Renewable Star webpage.
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GREEN HOMES CHALLENGE: Attending Recognition Event pays off for a deserving Power Saver Household
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When Pam and Dennis Duffey-Nairn first certified as Power Savers last February, they had cut their energy bills by taking a lot of small actions - installing CFL bulbs and low-flow showerheads, regulating the thermostat, and unplugging unused electronics and appliances. But, it would have been at least another year until they could even consider spending money on some of the larger projects they really needed to make their home affordable and comfortable, like attic air sealing and insulation.
Pam's dedication to certifying as a Power Saver paid off at the 2012 Power Saver Recognition Event. Out of 50 Certified Power Saver households in attendance, Pam and Dennis were the lucky couple to walk away with the grand prize of $2,000 worth of energy efficiency retrofits from Lancaster Craftsmen Builders.
Mark Lancaster, owner of Lancaster Craftsmen Builders, said "It couldn't have gone to a more deserving couple. Pam has had a severely debilitating physical condition that has confined her to the indoors and made mobility very difficult. Being able to make her home more comfortable was very satisfying to me and our company."
In April, Mark, his son Peter, and their employees, air sealed and insulated the Duffey-Nairn's attic, installed attic ventilation, enlarged and insulated the attic access, air sealed the basement rim joist, sealed leaky basement ductwork, and replaced a few windows.
Pam and Dennis enjoyed a more comfortable summer with less AC. They haven't needed to use as much heat so far this winter, and Pam is actually excited for it to get really cold, just to see how the house feels compared to past winters. The couple is deeply appreciative to the Lancasters for their generous donation and to the Green Homes Challenge for helping them to reduce their energy bills. "I couldn't be happier. I love saving a buck!" said Pam.
The Duffey-Nairn's are not the only household that has been rewarded by the Green Homes Challenge. At last year's Recognition Event 18 households walked away with prizes. OSER staff is currently soliciting prizes to make this year's Recognition Event, planned for March 2013, another rewarding and memorable one.
Certify as a Power Saver or Green Leader to ensure your entry in the next prize drawings!
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| WATERSHED MANAGEMENT UPDATE:
Staff focus on permits and Watershed Implementation Plan
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The Watershed Management Section within OSER manages Frederick County Government's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit, twelve Industrial Discharge Permits for Stormwater, and coordination of Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load compliance for the County.
This Section has been working on a number of evolving issues that are worth sharing:
- Staff members are working on renewal requirements for the County's NPDES MS4 permit. This permit expired on March 11, 2007 and has been administratively extended by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). The County has received a draft permit and has provided comment regarding the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP) to which it believes it can comply. MEP is a standard in the Clean Water Act and the Federal Register which allows permitted entities with NPDES MS4 permits to examine permit requirements in comparison to resources and other issues. Other counties in Maryland are also undergoing permit renewals, with Baltimore City going first. The new permits have significantly more requirements than in the past. Where the previous permit for Frederick County cost $12.4M over five years to execute, the next permit is predicted to cost $359,106,514 including obligations from the state's Watershed Implementation Plan as they relate to stormwater by 2017. This includes requirements to retrofit 20% of untreated urban impervious area (area where stormwater can not percolate) countywide, as well as nutrient and sediment reductions.
- In October 2012, the Maryland Department of the Environment released its Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) including all of the County Watershed Implementation Plans. Frederick County submitted its local area analysis in July 2012, and it is included in MDE's documents. Frederick County estimates the cost of the WIP for Frederick County to be $1.88 Billion. This includes costs for stormwater, wastewater, and septics. Costs for agriculture were not available.
- Industrial Discharge Permits for Stormwater are undergoing renewal, and MDE has released a Tentative Determination to issue a general permit for the state. This draft permit also includes a requirement to treat 20% of untreated urban impervious area on the sites. Comments were due to MDE on January 4.
Staff is working on a water quality report for each individual watershed in Frederick County and will have the results of the first five year survey available in 2013. The report will discuss the biological health of each water body as well as other key water quality parameters. |
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION UPDATE:
Agricultural productivity and new members | |
The Sustainability Commission welcomed John Galli and Brian LeCouteur from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and Colby Ferguson from Frederick County's Business Development and Retention Department to their December 19th meeting for a discussion about agricultural productivity in Frederick County and the Washington Region as a whole. The speakers discussed findings of a new report, "What Our
 | | John Galli (top) and Brian LeCouteur, Metropolitan Council of Governments |
Region Grows: A look at Agricultural Production and Demand in the Washington Area Foodshed."
Agriculture in the region is a $1 Billion industry, yet Commission Members were surprised to learn that the Washington Metropolitan Region produces only 1% of the food that it eats. Much of the land in agricultural production goes to produce commodity crops that are used for animal feedstocks, ethanol, and other products. Frederick County produces enough dairy, cornmeal, beef, and wheat flour to feed its population, but nowhere near enough vegetables, berries, or most meats. It comes close in its production of tree fruits and lambs.
The presenters discussed the declining agricultural production in the region, which is driven largely by economic factors like the value of land and the cost to farm. There are bright spots, such as a surging "buy local" movement and an increase in direct farm-to-consumer sales that includes farmers markets, agritourism, and relationships with restaurants.
For more information, see this article in the Frederick News-Post or visit www.nationalcapitalfarms.org.
The Sustainability Commission works to educate the public about ways to enhance the sustainability of Frederick County. The Commission recently appointed new members Lonnie Ropp, Tom Anderson, Kate Heilman, Dick Ishler, and Tim Jones. The next meeting of the Sustainability Commission is Wednesday, January 16 from 3-5 PM in the 3rd Floor Meeting Room of Winchester Hall at 12 East Church Street in downtown Frederick. The meeting will focus on the status of composting regulations and will also feature a legislative update.
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BUSINESS CORNER:
Leafkey.com makes it easy to find verified eco-experts | 
Choosing a contractor can be overwhelming, especially in new green fields like energy efficiency, renewable energy, and ecological landscaping. How do you know if contractors have the certifications, licenses, and credentials that they claim? And how do you know what local contractors are available to do the job you need?
Find the contractor you're looking for at Leafkey.com, a directory for local energy and eco-professionals. Businesses listed on the site include energy auditors, weatherization installers, renewable energy installers, HVAC installers, architects, appraisers, builders, landscape architects, and more.
Through our Be SMART grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, we have partnered with Leafkey.com to generate listings of local Leafkey-verified contractors. Accuracy of credentials listed for businesses on the site have been verified by Leafkey staff.
Energy and eco-professionals serving Frederick County can take advantage of the free one-year Leafkey listing offered through the program. Help customers interested in energy and environmental services find your business. To sign up for a free one-year listing, contact Leafkey.com at 240.818.8333 or info@leafkey.com.
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MYTHBUSTERS:
MYTH - All used household batteries are hazardous waste | |
The proper way to dispose of household batteries depends on the type of battery you have. The Battery Act passed in 1996 served two purposes: to phase out the use of mercury in batteries, and to provide for the efficient and cost-effective collection and recycling or proper disposal of used nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, used small sealed lead-acid (SSLA) batteries, and certain other regulated batteries.
In Frederick County, alkaline batteries are accepted as regular household waste, and can be placed in your regular trash for curbside collection, although Mom's Organic Market, the Common Market, and other locations do collect used alkaline batteries for metal salvage recycling. Rechargeable batteries, like nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) or small sealed lead-acid (SSLA) batteries, contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, and lead. These batteries can cause serious harm to human health and the environment if they are discarded with ordinary household or workplace waste, and should be turned in at drop-off centers so that the plastic, lead, and other metal components can be recycled. Call2recycle.org is a good resources for locating drop-off centers for rechargeable batteries, including big box retail stores, small chains, and local shops. Some locations may also accept additional items for recycling, such as used compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). For additional questions about items that can be recycled in Frederick County, visit the Department of Waste Management's website or the Office of Recycling's website at www.learnmorerecyclebetter.org. Sources: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/newsletters/civil/enfalert/battery.pdf http://earth911.com/recycling/hazardous/rechargeable-batteries/ http://www.call2recycle.org/ |
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TOP PICKS: Online Energy Analyzers
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Baby, it's cold outside! If your utility bills are going up but you haven't yet had a professional Home Performance Audit, try out these do-it-yourself online energy analyzers:
Potomac Edison has a great Home Energy Analyzer. Grab a recent utility bill, register, and get started.
The Energy Guide provides a Fast Track and an In Depth Analysis of your energy use and recommends what to do to save energy now. You can also calculate how much money you can save by replacing appliances.
 The Energy Star Yardstick compares your home's energy efficiency to similar homes across the county and recommends energy saving home improvements. It takes about 5 minutes but you will need your last 12 months of utility bills. |
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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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