Maryland Energy Administration success stories

MEA distributes hundreds of millions of dollars throughout the state to stimulate energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy production. Those dollars fund significant returns toward Governor Martin O’Malley’s EmPower Maryland energy goals, which effects the lives of real Maryland citizens. To better understand where those dollars go and to see how they promote a Smart, Green & Growing Maryland, read the following MEA success stories:

• MEA Provides Energy Upgrades for Residents of Prince George's County
  United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP) is the official Community Action Agency for Prince George’s County. In the past three years, UCAP has been awarded $906,000 in EmPOWERing Clean Communities Grant funding.
• Baltimore office building earns "High Performance Building Award"
  The aging office building had been in need of improvements for some time, and MEA helped make the project possible by providing the Buccini/Pollin development group with a low-interest loan.
• Morningside Park upgrades preserve affordable housing in Howard County
  The 60 unit senior community in Howard County received energy efficiency upgrades using funds acquired from an MEA grant to the Howard County Housing Commission (HCHC).
  
• Baltimore County resident harnesses sunlight to save on home energy costs
  J. F. Mergen accomplished the unthinkable: He doubled the square footage of his Baltimore County home, stabilized his energy bills, reduced his family’s carbon footprint, and saved money without sacrificing the Mergen’s quality of life.
• Efficiency upgrades for mid-shore retiree provide safeguards for the future
  The Talbot County resident improved the insulation in his crawl space, attic, and walls with the support of a $2,800 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration.
• MEA helps synagogue become one of the first solar congregations in Maryland
  The Adat Shalom synagogue in Bethesda, Maryland has always been the center of an ecologically-minded congregation.
• Bladensburg reduces energy use, saves money, and EmPOWERs Maryland
  Bladensburg's visitor center and its police department are now more energy efficient and comfortable.
• Windswept Grant eases greenhouse gas emissions on the Eastern Shore
  Seeking a less carbon-intensive way to power his Worcester County home, Michael Jenkins researched renewable energy options. He realized he had a great resource at his Stockton property: Wind.
• MEA EmPOWERs Garrett County community to save
  Using a $50,000 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), residents of Liberty Mews will save money on utility bills while enjoying new energy efficient appliances.
• Caroline County Habitat pairs MEA EmPOWER Grant funds with volunteer work
  Using a $50,000 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), Caroline County Habitat for Humanity completed six energy efficiency upgrades for low to moderate income families.
• Through efficiency upgrades, University Park family increases its comfort level
  Through the MEA’s Home Performance Rebate Program, the family received a rebate of $1,550, which reduced the cost of their $4,244 efficiency upgrade.
• Small town reduces energy consumption, helps EmPOWER Maryland
  Galestown received a $5,000 EECBG grant from the Maryland Energy Administration, which it used for energy efficiency upgrades to its community center.
• MEA funds energy efficiency upgrades at St. Mary’s County senior living community
  Using a $50,000 grant from the MEA, residents of the Cedar Lane Senior Living Community in Leonardtown now save money on energy bills while enjoying a comfortable indoor climate regardless of weather.
• MEA enhances the energy efficiency benefits of a Montgomery County renovation
  Before renovations began in November of 2009, the then 71-year-old Frances Ballard had lived at the same address on Takoma Park’s Flower Ave. for more than 30 years. Now, she says, she hardly recognizes the place.
• MEA helps Grasonville residents harness solar power
  Using a $5,600 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), Elaine and Greg Harrison installed a 4.6 kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system on their Grasonville home.
• Nationally recognized car wash goes solar with no up front costs
  The addition of solar paneling to the iconic College Park Car Wash pushes this local small business into the future.
• MEA EmPOWERs Clean Energy Communities and visionary artists
  For Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum, replacing the HVAC chiller to the 15-year-old exhibition building was a critical fix.
• MEA helps Homes for America lower energy bills for low-income renters
  Homes for America, a housing nonprofit, received a $295,000 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to reduce the costs of massive energy efficiency upgrades.
• Wind turbine system transforms country home into "green" dream house
  Skeptics of clean energy’s impact should consider Henry and Nancy Maier, the Allegany County couple who converted a charming, three-story farmhouse into their very own “green” paradise.

Do You Have An Energy Success Story You'd like to Share?

If you or your company have benefited from MEA programs or incentives, you could be featured in our newsletter. Please submit your story for consideration to meainfo@energy.state.md.us or call our office for more details: 410-260-7655.

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Energy Empowers

Read more Maryland success stories at the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Empowers website.