The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is pleased to announce seven grant awards under the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Maryland Energy Infrastructure Program (MEIP). The seven awards total $9.25 million in funding to help advance the state's goals of providing clean and affordable energy to Marylanders.
This year's awards include efforts to improve the affordability and resilience of health care facilities; modernize heating and cooling while reducing operating costs for public schools; expand access and use of renewable natural gas (RNG); and expand community sustaining clean energy jobs manufacturing cutting edge solar technologies in parts of Maryland that have suffered from recent job losses.
MEIP was created as a result of the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) Order 88631 that merged AltaGas and Washington Gas Light (WGL) Company, and established the Maryland Gas Expansion Fund (MGEF). MEA was granted access to MGEF funds to create a program that promotes energy equity, grid resilience, economic development, and job creation. MEIP is focused on bringing natural gas energy to areas of Maryland that have been historically deprived of cleaner energy options, and the economic opportunities and environmental benefits that low cost clean fuels can provide.
"The Maryland Energy Infrastructure Program has allowed Marylanders to access cleaner, reliable, and more affordable energy while helping the state reach its decarbonization goals of a 60% emissions reduction by 2031," said Dr. Mary Beth Tung, Director of MEA. "I am excited to see this investment attract solar manufacturing companies to Maryland. Supporting the infrastructure needs of clean tech manufacturers will help Maryland achieve its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and greenhouse gas reduction goals by expanding the availability of domestically made solar components."
MEIP or MGEF is broken down into two Areas of Interest (AOI) for project funding: AOI 1, for Maryland Local Distribution Companies (LDC) and AOI 2 for Maryland Anchor customers (Anchor). Through the PSC Order, a majority of the funds awarded must be awarded to projects located in the WGL service area.
Through MEIP or MGEF, MEA has awarded a total $20.75 million to 27 Maryland state and local government entities, public schools, and businesses. As a result of the MEIP program, these organizations will be able to implement energy projects that annually displace 544,160 plus metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to 105,880 homes' annual electricity use and support over 725 jobs. Of the annual emissions estimated to be displaced, 510,181 metric tons of carbon emissions come from the projects awarded in FY23.
The seven FY23 awardees are highlighted below with summaries of their proposed projects.
Anchor Awards
Anne Arundel Public Schools (AACPS) - $876,947
Anne Arundel County
SEM WaferTech - $3,000,000
Baltimore City
Adventist HealthCare - $924,000
Montgomery County
Maryland Environmental Service - $1,181,053
Somerset County
LDC Awards
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, Proposal 1 - $250,225
Somerset County
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, Proposal 2 - $185,500
Somerset County
Washington Gas and Light Company, Proposal 2 - $2,814,275
Prince George's County
Contact: Jahmai Sharp-Moore | 443-694-3651
