Policy

Montgomery County enhances sustainability by enacting and implementing progressive policies and by advocating for state and federal policies that promote sustainability and resiliency.

Climate Mobilization

Combined heat and power system

On December 5, 2017, the Montgomery County Council adopted Resolution 18-974, Emergency Climate Mobilization. This resolution calls upon the national Administration, the Congress, the State, and other local governments to join Montgomery County to use all available powers and resources to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035. The resolution further calls upon the County Executive, Montgomery County Public Schools, and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to advise the County Council on “specific methods for accelerating the County’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal.” The County’s previous goal was 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050.

In response to the Emergency Climate Mobilization resolution, the County Executive formed a workgroup with two primary goals: 1) Identify solutions and specific methods that could advance the County’s progress towards its GHG reduction goals; 2) Inventory existing efforts and measures to reduce GHG emissions across the County Government and County Agencies. The Montgomery County Climate Mobilization Workgroup sent its report to Council in early June 2018.

Energy Policy

Starthmore Hall

Understanding that cost effective and reliable utility services are essential for the well-being and economic development of the community, Montgomery County has consistently advocated to increase the resiliency, reliability, and affordability of the utility grid. As part of the merger of Exelon Corporation and Pepco Holdings Inc., Pepco committed to accelerate improvement of grid reliability and has made significant progress towards achieving those targets. Also stemming from the merger, the Maryland Public Service Commission (MD-PSC) has initiated a Grid-of-the-Future proceeding. The effort aims to foster the adoption of new clean energy technologies and offer greater customer choice. Grid modernization efforts aim to ensure that electric distribution systems in Maryland are customer-centered, affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable.

The merger of Exelon Corporation and Pepco Holdings, Inc., also resulted in $41 million of funds to the County to create programs benefiting Pepco customers in Montgomery County. These funds will provide seed capital for energy-efficiency through the Montgomery County Green Bank, free energy-efficiency upgrades for modest-income consumers through the Homeowner Energy Efficiency Program, energy awareness programs, and workforce development programming. Additional benefits from the merger include a $100 bill credit per Pepco residential customer; improvements in utility reliability and recreation infrastructure; and investments in energy-efficiency, renewable energy, and job creation.