EmPOWER Clean Energy Communities Low-to-Moderate Income Grant Program

As part of the overall EmPOWER Clean Energy Communities program, the EmPOWER Clean Energy Communities Low-to-Moderate Income Grant Program assists Maryland counties (or county equivalents) in financing energy efficiency projects that benefit low-to-moderate income Marylanders.  Eligible non-profits, local governments, and home owner/condominium associations can apply for grant funding in order to execute energy efficiency projects that benefit low-to-moderate income Maryland households.

Program Update

In fiscal year 2012, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) awarded more than $2.1 million in EmPOWER Clean Energy Communities Low-to-Moderate Income grant awards.   Eligible non-profits, local governments, and home owner/condominium associations can apply for grant funding in order to execute energy efficiency projects that benefit low-to-moderate income Maryland households.

Applications for fiscal year 2013 are anticipated to be released in late summer. If you are interested in being notified when the fiscal year 2013 application becomes available, please sign up to receive MEA's email newsletter.

2012 Grant Reporting Forms

Eligible Income Levels

Households benefitting from the EmPOWER Clean Energy Communities Low-to-Moderate Income Grant Program must have incomes that are 85 percent or less of the median income limit established for the County where the grant activities are occurring. 

      Historical Preservation

      All EmPOWER Clean Energy Community grant program projects must comply with historical preservation requirements. Under an agreement between MEA and the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), MEA has hired a contractual historian to help review the EmPOWER Clean Energy Community projects. This review will ensure that all projects comply with historical preservation requirements. Depending on the age, location, and historical stature of a facility receiving EmPOWER grant funds, MEA's historian will screen grant projects to identify any proposed projects that may have an "adverse effect" on a historic property.  In some instances, projects may need to be forwarded to MHT for a final determination.