Sustainability : Innovation + Job News

"As a State, we must move forward on a smart, sustainable path," says Gov. O'Malley. "Building upon our recent successes, we need to create a foundation for both our future and our children's future. We have to make tough decisions, governing through green initiatives and living our own lives as examples."

The event gathered together more than 750 participants, including conservationists, farmers, and business owners, who attended plenary sessions and discipline-specific workgroups. Discussion topics for the breakout groups included Smart Growth, Bay Restoration, Clean Energy/Climate Change, and Resource Based Industries.

Following the work sessions, Gov. O'Malley convened a discussion of outcomes and recommendations with all forum participants.

Recommendations included:

Bay Restoration: Continue to ramp up Bay Restoration efforts, including building upon Maryland's Phase 1 Watershed Implementation Plan, to ensure reaching our Bay Restoration goals by 2020 —five years earlier than any other State in the watershed.

Clean Energy/Climate Change: Aggressively pursue the development of offshore wind generation as a clean energy solution as well an avenue to create thousands of green jobs.

Smart Growth: Increase support for development projects in transit oriented, sustainable communities through funding, financing, tax credits, and other incentives. Continue to promote public transit ridership, which has increased 17 percent since 2006.

Resource Based Industries: Develop new policies and programs that provide economic incentives for rural landowners, including farmers, to conserve their land instead of developing it; develop new programs to support environmentally friendly resource-based industries, including sustainable agriculture and forestry, aquaculture, and nature-based tourism.

"The world is changing as a result of these issues, and Maryland can choose to be either a leader or a follower in the resulting New Economy that is upon us," says Gov. O'Malley.

Source: Office of the Governor
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Baltimore City's Miller's Court its 2010 Smart Growth Achievement Award for Smart Growth and Green Building. According to the government agency, Miller's Court is a model of integrating mixed-use redevelopment with preservation of a landmark historic building and sustainable design principles to help revitalize an entire community.

The EPA created the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement in 2002 to recognize exceptional approaches to development that respect the environment, foster economic vitality, and enhance quality of life.

The building, located in Charles Village, is a model for adaptive reuse of historic structures in urban neighborhoods, the EPA says. In a transitioning area of the city, this project directed development towards the existing neighborhood and revitalized a long-abandoned property to create new office and residential spaces. The project has also been a catalyst for surrounding neighborhood development by creating a sense of stability and demonstrating long-term commitment to the community.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency
Writer: Walaika Haskins

On December 11th, Baltimore Green Space is sending 20 2-person teams to explore Baltimore and put their smartphones to use for a good cause -- to create a map of vacant lots that have been turned into community green spaces, including gardens, pocket parks, horseshoe pits, and the like.

The group has undertaken this task, it says, "because Baltimore City is working hard to streamline its sales process for land and buildings." While Baltimore Green Space acknowledges that this is great news, it says the improvement presents an urgent challenge to preserve green spaces.

With some 13,000 vacant lots, the group hopes to help the City deal with the information problem it faces as the city doesn't know which of these "vacant" lots are actually community assets that improve the livability of neighborhoods and thus property values.

The City is eager to learn which lots should be included in the "community use" category of their database, according to Green Space. The organization has already given them about 200 block/lot numbers, but says there are considerably more that need to be mapped and, unfortunately, the time to document them is running out.

Green Spaces has piloted "a great way to document the exact location of gardens" using geo-coded photos taken on smartphones. It has already tested the technology out during a 3-hour event during which six teams of volunteers photographed 150 addresses. Now, there are another 450 to go.

During the Dec. 11 event the group plans to catalog the remaining addresses as well as any that they don't yet know about.

Source: Green Space
Writer: Walaika Haskins

A team of scientists from Coppin State University's nanotechnology research center have created the most efficient solar energy cells in the world. Dr. Jamal Uddin, a Natural Sciences professor, and five undergraduate students have created model cells that are nearly four percent more efficient than solar cells developed by Spectrolab, a Boeing company based in California that had held the title for most efficient simulated cells since 2006.

Dr. Uddin's team made the discovery as it worked to develop a solar energy source for night vision goggles used by the U.S. Army. The goggles are currently powered by Lithium ion batteries, which are very heavy, says Dr. Uddin. The Army is seeking a lighter, longer lasting alternative battery.

The researchers used nanotechnology particles to make the new solar cells. So far, simulations have shown 43.4 percent of solar cells effective for reusable energy. Spectrolab's highest result was 40.7 percent. Dr. Uddin says his team utilized the metaphysics software COMSOL and the online software program PC1D to break the world record.

The team will continue to try and improve, says Dr. Uddin. "We hope to get it up to 50 percent by December. We'll try using different combinations of materials."

The team is currently seeking additional funding to begin fabricating the solar cells, which Dr. Uddin says could be used to power an array of electronic devices. The cells could also be used as the foundation for future technologies.

"I'm excited because this has been an unexpected discovery," he says.

Source: Dr. Jamal Uddin, Coppin State University
Writer: Walaika Haskins

"We're thrilled to be named the first LEED Gold certified existing hotel in the state of Maryland," says Michelle Emley, general manager. "The vast majority of our nation's housing stock is older or historic. We know that most homeowners are not in the position to design and build a new green home, but they can incorporate simple, sustainable practices in their existing homes."

"A central belief of green building is that our economic, environmental, and personal health is dramatically impacted by the places where we live, work, learn, shop, eat and play," says Chris Smith, COO of the U.S. Green Building Council. "The owners of the TownePlace Suites by Marriott at BWI Airport recognized this early on, and their foresight has resulted in Maryland's first existing hotel to be certified LEED Gold."

Source: TownPlace Suites
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The new investment will create 11 job openings to be filled in accordance with the UAW-GM National Agreement.

"This will allow us to strengthen our core electrification components expertise," says GM Manufacturing Manager Arvin Jones. "We'll have more to say about specific products later."

The investments in the White Marsh facility will be made with the assistance from the Recovery Act funding announced in August 2009 by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The newly announced investment is in addition to the $246 million investment announced in January to build a high-volume electric drive production facility for GM's next-generation rear-wheel drive Two-mode Hybrid system. The addition of electric motor production, to begin in 2013, will take place in a separate facility to be built on the same site as the Baltimore plant. The January investment will create about 200 jobs in three states, including Maryland.

Designing and manufacturing electric motors at Baltimore Transmission allows GM to more efficiently control the design, materials and production processes as well as reduce costs and improve performance, quality, reliability and manufacturability.

Source: General Motors
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The National Aquarium and Baltimore-area Uno Chicago Grills have come together to help save the planet -- or at least our part of it. The deep dish pizza joint and the National Aquarium have come together to launch the first ever Dough Rai$er, a year long fundraising event to benefit the Aquarium's conservation initiatives and education programs. The fundraiser gives the Aquarium's fans an opportunity to take action and support a healthier environment when dining at Chicago Uno Grills.

To participate in the National Aquarium Dough Rai$er just get a a voucher and bring it to a Baltimore area Uno Chicago Grill location through September 1, 2011. Twenty percent of sales generated from the vouchers will go to the National Aquarium's conservation and education programs.

Participating locations include Baltimore City (Harbor Place), Ellicott City (Long Gate Shopping Center), The Mall in Columbia, Bowie Town Center, Frederick, and Union Station in Washington D.C.

"This partnership highlights the power of community based partnerships," says Denise Aranoff-Brown, senior director of marketing for the National Aquarium. "In Uno Chicago Grills, we have found a partner that is equally committed to providing easy opportunities for consumers to get involved. In this case, local residents can help protect their local environment by supporting the Aquarium's conservation research and action programs."

In addition to the Dough Rai$er program, Uno Chicago Grill will support the Aquarium's conservation-related events. To help kick-off the partnership, Uno donated food for the Aquarium's Rock the Boat fundraiser that raised well over $1,000 for conservation research and action projects designed to restore, protect, and manage critical species or ecosystems.

"Uno Chicago Grill is proud to support the National aquarium with our hugely popular Dough Rai$er program. We care about the well-being of our customers and understand the importance of a healthy ecosystem such as the Chesapeake Bay," says Jim Hartnett, Harbor Place managing partner. "To date, we have donated more than $3.4 million to deserving organizations."

Source: The National Aquarium
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The company will work with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), a DOE research facility, to develop technologies for thermochemical conversion of biomass to advanced biofuels that are compatible with existing fueling infrastructure. The technologies will upgrade bio-oils into gasoline, diesel and jet fuels using a specialized catalytic reactor designed to resist corrosion and extend catalyst lifetime. Also on the team are VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, who will be providing pyrolysis oils, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, who will study corrosion.

The funding is a component of the Department of Energy's strategy to accelerate the development of sustainable biofuels, and is coordinated by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Biomass Program.

Grace and PNNL researchers will use a thermochemical process known as pyrolysis, which breaks down biomass using heat to produce bio-oils that can be further processed in existing petroleum refineries into transportation fuels.


Source: W.R. Grace
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore Medical System's (BMS) new Highlandtown Healthy Living Center officially received LEED-Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council last week.

The Highlandtown Healthy Living Center is the first Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in the country to receive LEED-Platinum Certification. The award was presented by Peter Templeton, President of the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

BMS had not initially planned to build a green building, says Jay Wolvovsky, president and CEO. Once the healthcare organization decided to build an entirely new building, The Knott Foundation, an early funder, challenged BMS to think about building an environmentally-friendly facility that met LEED standards.

"We didn't know anything about it at all and had to do a fair amount of investigation. As we learned more, we were able to draw our own conclusions about the linkage between environmental factors and our patients' health. What is the environment of an inner city neighborhood? What are the environmental factors associated with a neighborhood that doesn't have a lot of green in it? What's the impact on water and air quality, or of lead in paint on houses? What's the environmental impact of not having enough parkland in the area so people can get exercise, keep their weight down and deal with their diabetes, obesity and heart disease," he explains.

As BMS leaders continued to weigh these factors, they began setting the bar higher and higher until finally the decision was made to go for LEED-Platinum. "It became a mission and a passion that this building would stand for more than just being the best space for us to deliver our healthcare services in. It was going to be a standard bearer for the organization, making a statement about ourselves and what we believe in and what we think is the next frontier for healthcare – dealing with public health issues, including the environment, diversity, and healthcare disparities."

The building delivers comprehensive primary care to more than 22,000 patients from over 50 countries each year. Baltimore Medical System is the largest provider of primary health care to medically underserved communities in Maryland. BMS provides special services to help uninsured, non-English speaking and other high need patient groups access care. Over 48,000 people each year receive medical services and education at BMS's six health centers throughout Baltimore City and County and six City school-based locations.

Source: Jay Wolvovsky, Baltimore Medical System
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Some times finding yourself at the wrong table during an event can lead to good things. That's how more than 100 invitation-only attendees with a vested interest in the health of the Chesapeake Bay came together last week to discuss issues, initiatives to prevent bay pollution and innovative technologies developed by Maryland-based companies, according to Jim Poulos, vice president of Technology Transfer and Commercialization at the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) .

"Will Baker, head of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, was sitting next to me, and I knew that this could be an opportunity for the  Chesapeake Bay Foundation and TEDCO to do something together. We've been exploring the opportunity for a few years and came up with this technology show. We knew we had some small companies that are in the green space and that they're [Chesapeake Bay Foundation] are into cleaning up the Bay. So it was just a matter of connecting the right technologies with water cleanup," he says.

The event, "Technologies that Can Save the Bay: Reducing Nutrient and Sediment Pollution," sponsored by TEDCO and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), highlighted nine technologies from private industry, non-profit associations and research universities that are being developed and deployed to improve water quality and improve the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay by reducing pollution. The event took place at CBF's Phillip Merrill Environmental Center.

"We wanted to show the diversity of institutions, companies and their technologies," says Poulos

The showcase also featured keynote remarks by Tom Horton, noted environmental journalist and Chesapeake Bay expert, and J. Charles "Chuck" Fox, senior advisor on the Chesapeake Bay and Anacostia River to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Poulous along with Allen Hance, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and Amanda Bassow, director of Chesapeake programs at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, delivered a special presentation on funding opportunities for entrepreneurs interested in Chesapeake Bay conservation. Attendees and presenters enjoyed a networking, poster, and exhibit session at the end of the event. Closing remarks were made by CBF President Will Baker.

"Environmentalists, business leaders, entrepreneurs and those concerned with the health of the Chesapeake Bay have come from all over the region to learn about these emerging green technologies," says Will Baker, president of CBF. "We are pleased to work with TEDCO to promote the awareness of these technologies and are eager to see more environmentally-focused business models transfer to the marketplace."

Of the nine technologie included in the event, several are either commercially avaialble or will soon be available. They were broken down into three areas:  direct water cleaning solutions, urban solutions, and solutions used in the Bay.

Poulos hopes to host another showcase next year that will include representatives from the federal level, Deleware, New York, Virginia and West Virginia, states that are also affected directly by the Bay or the its watershed.

Companies that presented technologies included:

•Porous Asphalt, Kent Hansen, National Asphalt Pavement Association -- Porous asphalt is an environmentally friendly tool for storm water management. It can conserve water, reduce runoff and promote infiltration which cleanses stormwater, replenishes aquifers and protects streams.


•Creating Green Stormwater with Bioretension, Allen Davis, University of Maryland College Park -- Bioretention, a soil and plant-based stormwater management practice , is used to filter runoff from developed communities. Also known as a rain garden, a bioretention facility consists of a porous soil covered with a thin layer of mulch and is designed to mimic natural vegetated areas and filter pollutants from water.

•Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance and Floating Wetlands, Keith Bowers, Biohabitats, Inc. – Biohabitats, a conservation and ecological restoration company, is developing floating artificial wetlands. These wetlands are composed of recycled plastic bottles wrapped in biodegradable fiber mats in the entrances to the Bay such as the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. These wetlands act not only as filters but as regenerated wetlands.

•SkyGarden: Green Roof Media, Emlyn Stancill, Stancills, Inc. -- SkyGarden specializes in engineered soils and mineral formulations for the greenroof industry. A green roof system is an extension of the existing roof which involves a high quality water proofing and root repellant system, a drainage system, filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium and plants.


•Smartslope: Living Retaining Walls, Michael Furbish, The Furbish Company – The Furbish Company designs, sells, installs and maintains plant-based building systems. "Living Walls" enable building owners and occupants to benefit from improved comfort and health, lower utility bills, increase asset value and help to restore the environment.

•Reclamation of Water and Prevention of Animal Waste Runoff, Carol Collins, Spiralcat – Spiralcat, a women-owned corporation that harvests water, energy and biofuel from diverse waste sources in order to transform waste into valuable energy and water resources. The company's technologies support local food economies, provide clean water, create usable resources, manage nutrients for soil fertility and deliver energy in an affordable manner.

•Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Selective Capture of Environmental Phosphate, Tracy Terry, JHU Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) – Phosphorus and nitrogen are major pollutants that enter water via runoff from sewage plants and farmland. Currently, there are no filtering systems that can selectively remove these two elements. APL is working on a system that has the potential to reduce contaminant concentrations of phosphorous and nitrogen to any arbitrary level through staging.

•Slow Release Fertilizer, Wayne Swann, NutriGrown, LLC – NutriGrown, LLC is developing a line of matrix-based soil nutrient products designed to reduce nutrient leaching while enhancing plant growth. Greenz™ technology is exclusively licensed from the USDA/ARS and is based on a formulated matrix of natural organic and inorganic compounds with high ionic exchange capacity. The matrix components bind and retain nutrients for both short and long term plant utilization.

•Pelletizing Seeds for Habitat Restoration, Robert Murphy, EcoSystem Solutions Inc. – Ecosystem Solutions, Inc., a small, privately owned, environmental consulting firm based in West Warwick, RI, specializes in wetland science, ecological solutions and soil science. They work with pelletized seeds to increase the success rate of habitat restoration. Pelletizing seeds are seeds wrapped in a clay pellet, which is a simple technique for hiding and protecting the seed until it can germinate.

Source: Jim Poulos, TEDCO
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Moving forward on his goal to support 100,000 green jobs by 2015, Gov. Martin O'Malley recently held Maryland's first Green Economy Forum at Montgomery Park in Baltimore City. The governor outlined an aggressive plan to create and retain green jobs, support clean and renewable energy, protect Maryland's communities and preserve the State's natural resources.

The plan is based on the findings of the Green Jobs & Industry Task Force, a group of public and private sector leaders including green business owners, industry stakeholders, workforce development experts and cabinet secretaries the Governor assembled in March to develop recommendations to capitalize on the emerging green economy.

As part of the Forum, the Gov. O'Malley also led a roundtable with small business owners, environmental advocates, green industry experts and others to discuss ways to move Maryland forward on clean and renewable energy, environmental remediation and sustainable development.

"Green jobs are growing nationally at a rate two and a half times faster than overall jobs and are not only key to our economic recovery today, but are the jobs that will fuel the economy of tomorrow," says Gov. O'Malley. "Our highly educated workforce, wealth of natural resources and progressive policies makes Maryland uniquely positioned to grow our green economy and create the kinds of jobs that will ensure a more sustainable future for all Marylanders."

"The recommendations presented today clearly demonstrate that Maryland is on the forefront of the emerging green economy," says Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Christian S. Johansson, who chaired the Task Force. "We look forward to working in partnership with employers, entrepreneurs and industry experts to implement relevant and meaningful strategies to help Maryland's green industries create jobs, employ more sustainable practices and preserve our communities."

"As an executive in the emerging green industry, I believe that these recommendations capture the input of many green employers in Maryland," said Kerinia Cusick, Green Jobs & Economy Task Force member and Director, Mid-Atlantic Government Affairs for Sun Edison. "The Task Force team members look forward to continuing our collaboration as these recommendations are implemented."

The Task Force report focused on six key recommendations:

1. Promote energy and resource efficiency efforts;
2. Develop and foster clean, local energy production and industrial capacity;
3. Capitalize upon economic opportunities to restore and protect Maryland's natural resource;
4. Promote sustainable development practices that create jobs, generate prosperity, and make Maryland more self-reliant;
5. Increase access to capital for green businesses and projects; and
6. Strengthen coordination and communication across State agencies, partners, and stakeholders to provide strategic vision for advancing a green economy.

Maryland is home to approximately 75,000 green-sector jobs, ranging from consulting and scientific services to construction and waste management. Since January, Maryland has created 38,000 jobs, a growth rate twice that of the rest of the nation. Maryland's unemployment rate remains 25 percent lower than the national average.

Source: State of Maryland
Writer: Walaika Haskins

As the drama of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continues to play out, the need for alternative sources of energy and energy conservation are gaining increasing attention. However, according to a recent Department of Energy study, a shortage of training is the major barrier to expanding home energy efficiency.

The Baltimore Center for Green Careers is a new training center intended to create an innovative green career workforce. Operated through Civic Works, Baltimore's urban service corps, the center opened its doors last week and should help solve the workforce shortage -- at least in Baltimore.

With a $532,319 grant from the Foundation for an OSI-Baltimore and a $524,023 grant from the Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR), part of its Maryland RISE initiative (Reaching Independence and Stability through Employment), the program will promote sustainable employment in high demand "green collar" jobs for Baltimore's underserved populations.

This new program is particularly timely, given the increased interest in home energy efficiency, the recent Department of Energy report citing a shortage of training as the major barrier to expanding home energy efficiency and the launch of Governor O'Malley's Skills2Compete Maryland agenda.

The grant enables Civic Works to expand its B'more Green program, which will now train unemployed and underemployed Baltimore residents in providing energy retrofit services. This is in addition to B'more Green's existing training classes in brownfields remediation, hazard abatement, and environmental demolition. In addition, the funding has contributed to Civic Works being able to move its green jobs training operations to a dedicated building. Here it will be able to construct improved hands-on practice areas that better resemble the real work environments of abatement workers, environmental field technicians and energy retrofit workers.

The Baltimore Center for Green Careers is located in a 12,000 square foot facility in Moravia Business Park, 6260 Frankford Avenue. The center includes warehouse, classroom and hands-on training space, as well as meeting and office space. At the center installers will learn the principles of building science and how to use various diagnostic tools to identify sources of air infiltration.

"Getting Baltimoreans back to work in living wage high demand jobs is a win-win for everyone," says John Mello, Green Projects director, Civic Works. "Our programs have been transforming lives, but this grant will enable us to greatly expand our operation and provide much needed skills development in high demand jobs to Baltimore's unemployed and underemployed populations," he adds.

Working closely with the DHR, Civic Works will target Baltimore's unemployed and underemployed residents who are 18 and older and have one or more significant barriers to employment. The program will serve 44 participants over the two-year grant period. Of the 44 participants served, 24 will be trained in the three-month long energy retrofit installer training program, and 20 will be trained as environmental field technicians and abatement workers in the seven-week B'more Green program.

Graduates will learn how to make a house more energy efficient by providing services such as air sealing, insulation, and Cool Roofing. In addition to training, graduates will also receive job readiness and placement services. Graduates will be placed into entry-level green careers with environmental employers that offer a living wage ($12 to $16 per hour) and opportunities for advancement. Employers who hire graduates will be offered a wage subsidy for up to six months.

"After decades of doing the same thing year after year, the citizens of Maryland are becoming united in the view that we need to change course and take bold action to rebuild our oyster population -- both for their ecological values and for the jobs and economic impact that an expanded aquaculture industry will provide for Maryland families for generations to come," says Gov. O'Malley

The submission of regulations to the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) is the next critical step in Maryland's efforts to restore the Bay's native oyster, build a robust and sustainable aquaculture industry and maintain a better managed public fishery. As proposed, the regulations will:

• Significantly increase the State's network of oyster sanctuaries from 9 percent to 25 percent. They will be greater in number, larger in size, easier to enforce and established in the most appropriate areas based on scientific advice.
• Identify 600,000 acres open to leasing for oyster aquaculture.
• Identify areas off limits to leasing, allowing for continued support of a more targeted, sustainable, scientifically managed public oyster fishery.

The regulations will be published in the Maryland register July 2, which will begin a 6-week public comment and hearing period. If approved, the regulations will become effective in early September, prior to the October 1 start of oyster season.

"Since the Governor announced this groundbreaking proposal in December, we have worked diligently with legislators, local elected officials and all of our stakeholders — including members of the oyster industry, aquaculture interests, scientists, environmentalists, sport fishermen and citizens," says DNR Secretary John Griffin. "This unprecedented public process resulted in more than 150 meetings, during which we made numerous adjustments to our proposal to address the concerns of our watermen while maintaining the integrity of the Governor's plan.

"Once approved, these regulations will put into place our expanded sanctuary network and change existing regulations to encourage development of aquaculture in Maryland –- and the hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars it will eventually bring to our State," says Gov. O'Malley. "Maryland watermen will have an opportunity to significantly expand their incomes while continuing to work a more scientifically managed public fishery."

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), while declines in the Chesapeake Bay oyster populations in Maryland are not solely the result of a failure to embrace aquaculture, economic contributions to the traditional industry have not created a stable fishery. In fact, these contributions, which once produced a net economic benefit of $146 million over 10 years, are now projected to produce a net economic loss of $64 million over the same period.

Since 1994, the Chesapeake Bay's oyster population has languished at one percent of historic levels; quality oyster bars have decreased 70 percent from 200,000 to 36,000, and the number of harvesters has declined from 2,000 in the mid 1980s to just over 500 annually since 2002. Currently, there are only eight oyster processing companies in Maryland, down from 58 in 1974.

Based on last season's harvest reports, estimates show the new sanctuaries will reduce the public oyster fishery by 10 to 15 percent, a gross economic impact of approximately $350,000 to $500,000.

Maryland's Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development plan is built on the findings of a six-year environmental impact study of oyster restoration options, and the work of the Oyster Advisory Commission and the Aquaculture Coordinating Council. In January 2009, Gov. O'Malley sponsored aquaculture legislation to streamline the regulatory process and open new areas to leasing to promote growth of that industry, lessen pressure on wild oysters and provide alternative economic opportunities for watermen. This legislation was developed with broad stakeholder involvement and passed overwhelmingly in the General Assembly this year. Aquaculture is now the predominant means of shellfish harvesting around the world.  

Source: Office of Governor O'Malley
Writer: Walaika Haskins

"Energy touches every aspect of our lives from the cost of heating our homes to sustaining our resources for future generations," says Gov. O'Malley. "In these last three years, we have made the choices that have transformed Maryland into one of the leading clean energy states in the nation. Each of the bills signed into law today will provide resources and incentives for our families and workforce, create jobs, and fuel innovation as we continue to strive for a Maryland that is truly Smart, Green and Growing."

Key bills enacted include an acceleration of the State's solar Renewable Portfolio Standard to put more clean energy on the grid faster, as well as successfully extending renewable energy tax credits for businesses interested in going green, and tax credits for families to purchase plug-in electric vehicles as they become commercially available later over the coming year.

The O'Malley-Brown Administration's new energy legislation impacts Maryland as follows:

HB 469 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax - Tax Credit For Electric Vehicles

This Administration bill creates a tax credit for the purchase of qualified plug-in electric vehicles equal to 100% of the State vehicle excise tax imposed, not to exceed $2,000. The bill requires a transfer of $279,000 from the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) in fiscal 2011, $939,600 in fiscal 2012, and $1,287,000 in fiscal 2013. The tax credit applies to electric vehicles purchased from October 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013.

SB 602 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes - Use by Plug-In Vehicles

HB 674

This bill authorizes a "plug-in electric vehicle" affixed with a State permit designating it as such to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. There are HOV lanes along two federal highways in the State: one on I-270 in Montgomery County; and one on U.S. Route 50 in Prince George's County. The bill will sunset on October 1, 2013.

HB 464 Maryland Clean Energy Incentive Act of 2010

This Administration bill extends the termination date of the clean energy incentive tax credit to December 31, 2015. The bill also extends to January 1, 2016, the date by which a facility must begin producing qualified energy in order to claim the credit; and prohibits the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) from issuing an initial credit certificate for less than $1,000. The bill also makes the clean energy incentive tax credit refundable.

SB 277 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Solar Energy

This Administration bill increases the percentage requirements of the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (RPS) that must be purchased from Tier 1 solar energy sources each year between 2011 and 2016. The bill also increases the alternative compliance payment (ACP) for a shortfall in solar RPS requirements by $0.05 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) over the current amount in 2011 and 2012, by $0.10 per kWh between 2013 and 2016.

Source: Maryland Energy Administration
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Votes have are in and once again, Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) have come out on top, winning its second award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The school system has been declared the winner of the Most Vegetarian-Friendly Cafeteria contest sponsored by peta2, the world's largest youth animal rights organization. BCPS beat out four other school districts to take the award in the  U.S. Public Schools category. The district will receive a framed certificate and a thank-you card signed by peta2 staffers.

According to peta2, BCPS is the only district among the five nominees that takes part in Meatless Mondays, an animal- and Earth-friendly program offering students an array of healthy and delicious vegan and vegetarian foods. Some popular dishes available in BCPS cafeterias include spicy vegetarian chili, meatless lasagne, and Tex-Mex style black-bean nachos. In another of the school system's innovative program, local farmers and food distributors partner with the district to provide fresh, locally raised fruits and vegetables to students.

"Baltimore City Public Schools stands as a role model for school districts across the country when it comes to educating students about how their food choices affect not only their own health but also the world around them," says peta2 director Dan Shannon. "More and more young people are learning that the best thing that they can do for animals, the planet, and themselves is to go vegan."

BCPS beat out Georgia's Gwinnett County Public Schools, Virginia's Prince William County Schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Berkeley Unified School District. Awards were also given in the categories of U.S. Private Schools and Canadian Schools. In October 2009, PETA awarded the school system its Proggy Award for Most Progressive Public School District of 2009.


Source: Rachel Owen, peta2
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Baltimore Office of Sustainability has released its first annual report. Developed with the input of more than 1,000 residents, the Baltimore Sustainability Plan, was adopted by the Baltimore City Council in March, 2009. The annual report outlines the progress made to date toward achieving Plan goals and highlights the work underway that city leaders hope will benefit the economic, social, and environmental health of Baltimore.

The report identifies the seven major areas that define the goals of the Sustainability Plan: Cleanliness; Pollution Prevention; Resource Conservation; Greening; Transportation; Education and Awareness; and Green Economy. Each section includes a feature story that highlights the accomplishments toward achieving the goal as well as "Steps You Can Take" that provide citizens with suggested actions they can take to move the process forward.

"Sustainability becomes increasingly more important to us as a City, a State and a nation because we recognize that our global resources are finite," says Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "By making smart decisions about how we use resources, and involving residents in the process, we can save money, improve quality of life, and position Baltimore to benefit from growing investment and job creation in the green economy."

The report includes a feature on the city's Green and Healthy Homes Initiative that seeks to improve health outcomes for Baltimore households while saving residents money on their energy bills and reducing their environmental impact. The program, which has roots in Baltimore-based Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, is now being replicated in cities throughout the country.

The benefits of the program exemplify the triple bottom line goals of sustainability; healthier homes lead to families with less asthma and lead paint cases, residents save money on utility bills and find jobs in green trades, while at the same time reducing energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

Also featured are the Harbor Connector water taxi service and the Charm City Circulator, recent expansions in Baltimore's public transportation system. The water taxi service from Fells Point to Tide Point averaged 200 trips daily during an 8-month period , thereby reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.

Launched in January 2010, the Charm City Circulator, hybrid buses that offer free bus service throughout Harbor East and downtown, recently celebrated its 100,000th passenger. Service extends to the west to the B&O Railroad museum and soon will include the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus to the north. These sustainable transportation developments help bolster the local economy by expanding options for employees to reach their jobs and for visitors to explore Baltimore, according to the city.

Source: Baltimore Mayor's Office
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has updated its new incentive program for mid-sized solar energy systems. Made possible through funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the two-year program will provide a total of up to $1.45 million to lower the cost of rooftop solar energy systems for commercial buildings, allowing more Maryland businesses to receive the benefits of clean renewable energy from the sun.

"Maryland's mid-sized solar grant program is a true 'win' for local businesses and workers. By taking advantage of this new resource, not only will businesses see a reduction in energy usage and operational costs in the long term, but they will also become a part of a Maryland that is Smart, Green and Growing, by taking this step to reduce their carbon footprint, " says Governor Martin O'Malley. "I encourage local businesses to take advantage of this opportunity."

The incentive program covers two technologies, solar photovoltaic which converts light into electricity, and solar water heating, which converts light into heat energy to supplement natural gas or electric water heating. Both of these technologies have reached a level of technology maturity and reliability that makes them great long term investments for commercial buildings, according to the MEA.

Through the MEA's grant program, Marylanders now can qualify for a rebate of $500 per kilowatt of photovoltaic capacity installed for systems between 20 and 100 KW, up to $50,000 per grant, and 15 percent of the system cost for a solar hot water system up to $25,000 per grant at this time.

"The challenge for many businesses is that the costs for solar energy systems are all up-front, while the benefits accrue over many years of use," says Malcolm Woolf, MEA director . "The mid-sized incentive program, combined with the federal investment tax credit of 30 percent, is designed to help lower the upfront cost of these renewable energy systems so that businesses can continue to invest in clean renewable energy despite the difficult economy. We are thrilled to be able to serve the business community with this much-needed clean energy program."

Source: Maryland Energy Administration
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Maryland-based E-Structors, a company specializing in the secure destruction and recycling of computers, electronics and documents,  has achieved Responsible Recycling (R2) and ISO 14001:2004 certifications. Earning these certifications places E-Structors among the first electronics recyclers in the country – and the first in the Mid-Atlantic region – to be recognized for maintaining the highest environmental standards for processing and recycling electronic waste.

Introduced in 2009 and endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Electronics Recyclers establish how electronic waste should best be safely handled, responsibly re-used and legally exported. As an R2-certified recycler, E-Structors can guarantee that it maintains a state-of-the-art environmental management system (EMS) that soundly controls and regulates the entire "downstream" of the 18-20 million pounds of material it processes annually.

"Achieving our R2 and ISO 14001:2004 certification is a major accomplishment that solidifies E-Structors as a world-class company in our industry," says Mike Keough, president, E-Structors. "Our clients now have assurance that E-Structors is committed to maintaining the integrity of our recycling practices and the safety of our workers as we provide the highest level of environmental compliance and data security."

ISO 14001:2004 is a globally-accepted set of requirements for environmental management systems established by the International Organizations for Standardization (ISO). To achieve certification, E-Structors worked with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and University of Maryland Manufacturing Assistance Program to implement an EMS that effectively controls its environmental impact and continually improves its environmental performance by achieving certain objectives, such as reducing the company's energy consumption and waste production.

"Businesses today have come to realize that they need to go beyond basic regulatory compliance to take advantage of the cost saving opportunities, liability prevention and customer benefits that come with a more proactive approach to environmental management," says Laura Armstrong, pollution prevention and sustainability coordinator, MDE. "Environmental management systems offer a way to instill this approach by building capability among staff and establishing procedures that ensure continuous improvement in managing and reducing environmental impacts."

Once its new EMS was put into effect, E-Structors underwent a rigorous audit by an accredited third party to earn its ISO 14001:2004 registration. Curt Bluefeld was the program manager who worked closely with E-Structors throughout the development of its EMS.

"E-Structors' implementation and subsequent ISO 14001:2004 registration of its environmental management system reflects the highly-professional attitude and thoroughness evident throughout the company's operation," he said. "The staff was a pure joy to work with I suspect the E-Structors EMS will become the standard all other electronics recyclers will want to meet."

The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has announced a $73 million plan that will cut its carbon dioxide emissions by more than half from projected levels by 2025.

The $73 million investment will be used in both conservation and efficiency measures that will reduce emissions caused by facilities operations by an initial 81,000 metric tons a year, which is more than halfway -- technically 57 percent -- to reaching the overall goal of cutting 141,000 metric tons from the 276,000 a year in emissions it would otherwise be generating 15 years from now.

The university will adopt new technologies as they become available in the next 15 years to achieve the remainder of the reduction. It will also encourage members of the university community to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.

The emissions goal is part of a newly revealed broad, multi-faceted Implementation Plan for Advancing Sustainability and Climate Stewardship. The multi-pronged approach comes at the problem through several avenues, including research, education and community outreach in addition to greenhouse gas reduction.

"Global climate change is one of humanity's greatest challenges," says Ronald J. Daniels, JHU president. "The earth's rising temperatures will, over decades to come, affect where and how we live, the ecosystems we inhabit, our quality of life and even our health.

"Facing this challenge head-on is our shared responsibility, especially as residents of the developed world," Daniels continues. "But universities have a special role in our society and a special responsibility. We are institutions that discover, that educate and that, often, set an example. When it comes to global climate change, Johns Hopkins will be a leader in all three."

In addition to the sharp reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, the plan calls for the creation of an Environment, Sustainability and Health Institute, bringing together faculty members from across the university. Under the auspices of the newly created Institute the faculty members will be able to collaborate on research as well as on teaching climate change science and sustainability, to students including those participating in the university's new undergraduate major and minor in global environmental change and sustainability and new master's degree in energy policy and climate. Institute faculty members also will focus on applying science to environmental policy, to public health initiatives and to practical measures that individuals, organizations and businesses can take to fight global warming.

"Just as Johns Hopkins medical researchers move their discoveries off the lab bench to the patient's bedside to save lives," Daniels says, "this institute will take a bench-to-real-world approach: We will use discoveries to get things done."

The plan also includes establishment of a Sustainability House in a to-be-renovated building on North Charles Street at the university's Homewood campus that will serve as the headquarters for the university's Office of Sustainability and student environmental groups. The location will also act as a showcase and laboratory for energy conservation techniques and technologies. The design team, with students and faculty members participating, will be directed to include cutting-edge sustainability features and to meet aggressive goals, such as zero net carbon emissions, storm water capture and reuse, and organic maintenance of the grounds.

Another key component of the plan will put Johns Hopkins knowledge to work contributing to sustainability and climate change efforts in Baltimore City and the state of Maryland. One such effort, announced late last month, is a $190,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-funded collaboration with Baltimore City; Johns Hopkins students will be trained to conduct audits at nonprofit organizations in the city and help them determine how to cut energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

The implementation plan is the result of months of detailed follow-up work on the March 2009 report of the university's President's Task Force on Climate Change. That report was the culmination of a year's work by Johns Hopkins faculty, administrators, students and trustees, as well as representatives of the Baltimore business, government and environmental communities.

"In response to a serious issue, we have taken a typically serious and thorough Johns Hopkins approach," Daniels said. "We have devoted the time and effort required to do this right: comprehensive data gathering, careful analysis and systematic planning."

The plan includes a building-by-building, campus-by-campus list of HVAC, electrical, and lab equipment improvements; lighting fixture and control upgrades; measures to make buildings more airtight; window replacements; installations of solar power panels and solar hot water equipment; water conservation measures; and other steps.

It targets laboratory research buildings in particular; often referred to as "heavy breathers," these buildings consume significant amounts of air that must be heated or cooled to satisfy temperature and humidity requirements.

Additional significant savings in carbon dioxide emission – 32,000 metric tons a year – and in energy costs will come from cogeneration plants being built on both the university's East Baltimore and Homewood campuses. The plants will burn relatively clean natural gas to produce both electricity and steam heat more cheaply and efficiently.

The final, and perhaps most important, aspect of the plan is an aggressive, sustained campaign to encourage students, faculty and staff to reduce energy consumption at work and at home. The university also will launch a parallel effort to find and implement new conservation opportunities in its energy-intensive information technology infrastructure, including desktop and mainframe computers, printers and monitors, and server farms. The IT professionals who will lead this effort will also look for other creative ways to improve the university's technology capability while reducing energy consumption.

Source: Johns Hopkins University
Writer: Walaika Haskins

We define sustainability as "Meeting the environmental, social, and economic needs of Baltimore without compromising the ability of future generations to meet these needs."

Learn More About the Office of Sustainability

The Baltimore Office of Sustainability is pleased to announce the launch of our new website at www.baltimoresustainability.org(External Link).

The website is designed as a resource for the Baltimore community to learn more about the goals of the Sustainability Plan, the many excellent efforts underway in our city, and how you can become part of the solution.

The website also features a space for individuals, schools, businesses, community groups, and anyone else in the Baltimore community to share their success story about how they helped further the shared goals of the Sustainability Plan.

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has launched a new program to promote the use of electric vehicles in Maryland. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (EVIP) initiative will provide aid in the installation of Electric Vehicle Recharging units and Truck Stop Electrification. The new program, run by MEA and the Maryland Clean Cities Coalition will provide $1 million during the current fiscal year in grants to state and local governments as well as nonprofits and private entities.

The announcement follows Gov. Martin O'Malley's introduction of an Electric Vehicle Tax Credit bill during 2010 legislative session. The proposed bill provides Maryland residents with up to $2,000 in tax incentives to help defray the upfront costs of purchasing electric vehicles.

"These grants represent the future of sustainable transportation," says Gov. O'Malley. "Today's announcement is part of our long term commitment to lead by example in energy advancements and create cleaner, less expensive, and more fuel efficient transportation options for our citizens."

The grants will assist organizations in purchasing and installing Electric Vehicle Recharging units and Truck Stop Electrification systems. Several plug-in electric vehicles are expected to be commercially available later this year, including the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. These vechicles will reduce the amount of liquid petroleum utilized in the state while also reducing our carbon footprint and promoting energy independence. Interested parties may download the application from the MEA website.

Funded by a $3.2 million, four-year grant from the National Science Foundation's Plant Genome Research Project, which supports research on plants seen as having economic and agricultural importance, researchers Gary Coleman, Ganesh Sriram and Jianhua Zhu of College Park and George Ude of Bowie State are using the recently completed poplar genome to look for ways to improve the tree's nitrogen processing capability, which would enhance its growth rate and feasibility for use in fuel production.

Although corn has long been the crop of choice for biofuel production in the U.S.,  though it is renewable, home-grown (unlike foreign oil) and plentiful, it may not be the best solution.

"We need to develop an alternative crop that we use exclusively for biofuels and not food," says Sriram, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering.

Enter poplar trees (also known as cottonwood or aspen), which is already commonly cultivated for the production of paper and timber.

"What we want are trees like poplar that grow fast and efficiently so they can become the raw material for cellulosic [fiber-based] biofuel," Sriram says. "The carbon found in poplar could be converted into fuels just like the sugars we extract from corn."

Coleman, lead researcher and an associate professor of plant science and landscape architecture in the university's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources says there are many advantages of a poplar crop over traditional biofuel sources.

"Growing trees doesn't eat into farmland, and trees don't require a lot of maintenance during their growth cycle," he explains. "A dedicated energy crop like poplar would contribute to the development of a sustainable and renewable energy system."

While the hybrid trees would be grown on plantations and harvested without affecting existing woodlands, simply growing acres of poplar trees to convert into biofuel isn't enough to solve current fuel problems. Researchers already know how to make ethanol from fibrous plants, but for poplar to be truly effective as a biofuel source, its growth cycle needs to speed up and become more efficient. One of the keys to doing so is to understand how it stores and cycles nitrogen, since nitrogen is an important factor in the growth and productivity of trees and crops.

The fertilizers that help produce big harvests are rich in nitrogen, but are expensive and must be reapplied each year. Poplar is a perennial plant, capable of pulling nitrogen from its leaves, storing it through the winter, and redistributing it in the spring. And while a crop like corn must be replanted each year, a poplar tree is capable of regrowing itself from its roots after being cut, and may go through several cycles of growth and harvest throughout its life before a new tree needs to replace it.

"Both the growth in the spring and regrowth from roots after the stems are harvested depend on the availability of stored nitrogen," Coleman says. "The data we collect will allow us to understand mechanisms of nitrogen cycling, determine how to increase the rates of the cellular reactions, and identify the genes that play a crucial role in the process. Eventually, we should be able to breed a variety of poplar with a more efficient nitrogen process, optimized for growth and rapid maturity."

Source: University of Maryland College Park
Writer: Walaika Haskins

"The program represents the best of public investment and private enterprise as we continue to seek ways to fuel economic growth and create jobs," says Gov. O'Malley. "The success of the program in recent years cannot be understated. These projects will help revitalize historic communities, strengthen a green economy throughout our State, and create new construction and rehabilitation jobs in every corner of Maryland."

The existing Heritage Tax Credit has invested more than $347 million in Maryland revitalization projects since 1996. Those projects have produced more than $1.5 billion in total direct rehabilitation expenditures by owners and developers. Coupled with wages, both construction and new jobs, and State and local revenues generated, this equates to more than $8.50 in economic output for every $1 invested by State government.

A report last year by the non-profit Abell Foundation concluded that commercial projects over the life of the program have employed roughly 15,120 people, earning $673.1 million in 2009 dollars. The state's tax credit investment in labor-intensive building renovation has generated 1,850 more jobs than would have been created had the same funds been used for new construction, the foundation reported.

The governor also revealed the latest recipients of some $5 million in Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credits for four projects in Central Maryland. Receiving awards. They include:

• Union Mill in Baltimore City: $2,920,000 tax credit for $20,000,000 project by Seawall Development Company to turn vacant manufacturing structure into residential and commercial space.

• Proctor House in Bel Air: $100,000 tax credit for $500,000 project by Kelly Financial Group, LLC to turn vacant/storage space into commercial offices.

• Two projects at the National Park Seminary development in Silver Spring: $800,000 tax credit for $4,000,000 project by the Alexander Company to turn vacant gymnasium into 12 residences. And $1,180,000 tax credit for $5,900,000 by the Alexander Company to turn vacant space and utility structures into 15 residential units.

"New legislation for 2010 seeks to strengthen the effectiveness of the tax credit program as an incentive for smart and sustainable growth," says Maryland Secretary of Planning Richard E. Hall, who chairs the Governor's Smart Growth Subcabinet. "By expanding program eligibility and coordinating it more closely with related state programs, the tax credit will benefit more communities across the state as a critical redevelopment and revitalization tool. One of Maryland's most effective Smart, Green & Growing tools should not be allowed to sunset this year."


Source: State of Maryland, Department of Planning
Writer: Walaika Haskins

All 234,000 single-family homes and town homes are included in this program. The 6,000 apartment and condominium units that currently have recycling collection will also be included in this program. "This is a major environmental initiative for Baltimore County," says Smith. "Allowing individuals to combine all their recyclable items in the same container at one time will make recycling very easy for County residents, and when you make it easier to recycle, people will recycle more."

As the County moves forward with its single stream recycling collection program for these 240,000 homes, Bureau of Solid Waste Management staff will also be working to bring 63,000 apartment and condominium units without recycling collection into the program. "It is our intention to have every apartment and condominium complex in Baltimore County provide their residents with the opportunity to recycle," says David Carroll, Baltimore County Director of Sustainability. "Single stream recycling is the latest in a series of initiatives in Baltimore County designed to protect our resources."

Single stream recycling collection means that paper, bottles, and cans may be combined in the same container to be placed out for collection each week. Additionally, residents will be able to recycle more items than before, including:

• narrow-neck plastic bottles and jugs with a number from 1 to 7 in the recycling symbol
• wide-mouth plastic containers (such as butter and yogurt containers)
• rigid plastics (such as buckets, drinking cups, and flower pots)
• empty aerosol cans
• aluminum foil and pie pans
• milk and juice cartons/boxes.

In an effort to make it very easy for residents to recycle, they will be able to use a wide variety of containers to place single stream recyclables out for collection, including:

• recycling containers up to a 34-gallon capacity
• any trash containers up to 34-gallon capacity used only for recycling and marked with a large "X" or "RECYCLE"
• small cardboard boxes (the boxes will be collected with recycled items set out for pickup).

County Executive Smith stressed that it is important for residents to remember that recyclables must not be placed in plastic bags of any type or color in this new program. "Plastic bags create problems for the single stream sorting equipment," he says. "Our solid waste management team will work hard to educate everyone to use containers instead of plastic bags." Many local food stores accept clean and dry plastic bags for recycling.

Baltimore County residences will receive an updated 4-year trash and recycling collection schedule/program guide in the mail shortly before the start of the new single stream recycling program on February 1, 2010. Residents are urged to read, retain, and post their new collection schedule/program guide.

For more information about Baltimore County's transition to single stream recycling collection, residents may call the Bureau of Solid Waste Management at 410-887-2000 or visit www.bcrecycles.com starting Monday, December 14.

Source: Baltimore County Development Corporation
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The University System of Maryland's Board of Regents and the Department of General Services recently approved the award of four renewable energy projects which will produce over 20 percent of the institutions and state agencies annual electric needs. The contracts will also further the State's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint 25 percent by 2020.

The awards will be made to US WindForce for a 55 MW on-shore wind energy project, Constellation for a 13 MW solar project in Central Maryland, and BlueWater Wind for up to 55 MW of wind energy as an extension to the proposed Delaware off-shore wind project. A separate award under a small business provision will be made to Synergics for 10 MW as part of its Roth Rock development in Western Maryland.

"This is a significant step under our Environmental Sustainability Initiative," notes University System of Maryland Chancellor William "Brit" Kirwan, "which reflects our commitment to carbon reduction through a 20-year agreement for the purchase of renewable energy."

Generating Clean Horizons, in addition to numerous statewide energy efficiency projects, is another step toward achieving the ambitious energy goals established by the O'Malley-Brown Administration. Last year, Gov. O'Malley successfully championed the EmPOWER Maryland Act, which aims to reduce energy consumption 15 percent by 2015, and more than doubled Maryland's renewable portfolio standard to require that electric suppliers purchase 20 percent of their power from clean energy sources by 2022.

Maryland will offer access to these renewable energy contracts to county, university and municipal partners who may seek to benefit from these new commercial renewable energy projects.

Source: Office of the Governor
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Winners will be announced on the Mayor's Spring Cleanup Day, Saturday, April 17. Winning neighborhoods will receive an "appreciation day block party." The Mayor's Initiative for a Cleaner Greener Baltimore will also offer communities an opportunity to compete for RecycleMORE 1+1 Program Partner Grants. These grants are limited and subject to eligibility criteria. Communities are encouraged to apply promptly.

Communities that wish to register should call Ms. Tonya Simmons, Recycling Coordinator, Bureau of Solid Waste at 410-396-4511. Completed registrations forms can be faxed or emailed to Ms. Simmons at 410-545-6117 or tonya.simmons@baltimorecity.gov.
 
Source: Department of Public Works
Writer: Walaika Haskins

"Today marks another important step towards a clean energy future for our families and workers. The opportunity for renewable energy generation through off shore wind is outstanding," says Gov. O'Malley. "Our states share many common resources and opportunities. This collaboration will allow us to take full advantage of these opportunities and pool our collective abilities for not only a Smart, Green and Growing Maryland, but a cleaner and more sustainable region as well."

Through the MOU, the Mid-Atlantic States will focus on leveraging resources and information to bring offshore wind energy to the region, which in turn, will create green jobs for our workers and clean energy alternatives for our families and businesses. Immediate tasks under the MOU are to identify common transmission strategies for offshore wind energy deployment in the region, discuss ways to encourage sustainable market demand for this renewable resource and work collaboratively in pursuing federal energy policies which help advance offshore wind in the Mid-Atlantic area.

"With our extensive coastline and highly-educated workforce, Virginia is particularly well-suited to explore offshore wind energy opportunities," says Gov. Kaine. "In these tough economic times, it's more important than ever that we invest in renewable energy sources that will create jobs and provide cleaner, more affordable energy for our families and communities. One of the best things we can do to lift ourselves out of a challenging economy today is to invest in a greener, cleaner tomorrow."

The MOU also calls for examination of ways to coordinate regional supply chain facilities to secure supply, deployment, and operations and maintenance functions to support offshore wind energy facilities. Collaboration on strategies to utilize academic institutions to create standards and opportunities for training and workforce development will also be developed.

"With the only power purchase agreement in place for offshore wind in the United States, Delaware is poised to be the first state in the nation to develop an offshore wind farm, bringing clean power to the region and creating hundreds of jobs," says Gov. Markell. "This agreement will help us leverage the resources and energy of our three state governments to help our region become the true powerhouse for this important source of renewable, reliable alternative energy."

This coordinated effort will provide benefits for each state individually by efficiently targeting areas of common interest to the region. Moreover, this effort will greatly facilitate our regional engagement with federal entities such as the Minerals Management Service, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Defense.

Source: Office of the Gov. O'Malley
Writer: Walaika Haskins

And the winner is....the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) has won the nationwide contest, America's Greenest Campus. The contest challenged colleges to compete against each other to reduce their carbon footprints. UMCP took the prize for the school with the most participants with 2,257 participants and Rio Salado College won for the school with the most carbon reductions per participant, with more than 524 students participating and reducing their CO2 emissions on average by 4.40 percent. 

It is the first competition to measure the impact of everyday actions of campus community members, America's Greenest Campus began on March 31st, with support from its national spokesperson, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.

Over 460 schools and 20,000 students, faculty and alumni participated in the contest, reducing nearly 19 million pounds of CO2 from the environment, saving 28 million gallons of water and conserving 4.5 million kilowatts of electricity.

"We are extremely proud that the University of Maryland won the America's Greenest Campus contest. Young people have the power to transform the world when it comes to energy and climate change and this competition was a great way of empowering our campus community to take action to reduce our carbon footprint," says student organizer Joanna Calabrese. "We mobilized over 2,000 students to get involved, and we know we can do even more. But this was a great start."

America's Greenest Campus is a partnership between SmartPower, the nation's leading clean energy and energy efficiency marketing organization, and Climate Culture, the premier online carbon measurement and reduction utility, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy and partnerships with leading youth environmental groups such as the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Student Coalition and the National Association of Environmental Law Societies.

"More than ever, young people are concerned about their impact on the environment and eager to improve their daily habits, and we created the America's Greenest Campus contest to provide a forum for that," says Tom Scaramellino, CEO of Efficiency 2.0, an energy efficiency startup that operates Climate Culture. "At 20,000 participants, this is the largest, most successful environmental contest ever among college students. We're so pleased with the results, we're gearing up for a second contest to take place in 2010."

The America's Greenest Campus contest also included the SmartPower Energy Smart Online Ad Challenge, which called for video submissions that promote the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency, for a $10,000 prize. The winning video will be announced December 5, 2009 and will be used in SmartPower's national advertising.

"Young people today are the largest wasters of energy in society, and through America's Greenest Campus, they are literally learning how to change their energy behavior," says Brian F. Keane, President of SmartPower. "Where they were once part of the climate problem -- now they are rapidly becoming a key part of the solution, learning how to conserve energy and change their behavior. They are leading the way -- and AGC is helping them get there!"

With their $5,000 winnings in hand, the University of Maryland will be providing support to their "Engaged University" program, a model community designed to influence the way the campus thinks about and engages in sustainable living and demonstrates the economic, social, and environmental benefits of long term sustainability.

Source: SmartPower
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Gov Martin O'Malley unveiled a new publication designed to provide insight and instruction on best practices to foster Smart, Green & Growing planning and revitalization activities in Maryland's cities and towns.

Developed jointly by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), "Going Green Downtown: A Sustainability Guide for Maryland's Main Streets" (the "Green Guide") is intended to give communities throughout the state an important set of principles, guidelines, and examples of how to pursue and implement sustainable practices that focus on environmental conservation and economic growth.

"Over the past 30 years, the increase in Maryland's population has led to rapid consumption of land, pulling vital resources and people away from traditional business districts," said Governor O'Malley. "Increasingly, these trends of sprawl and chronic overdevelopment threaten not only the economic survival of our cities and towns, but also our environment and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. With the Smart, Green & Growing initiative and tools like this new guide, we will promote sustainable growth, protecting our natural resources and strengthening the character and economic vitality of our communities for future generations."

The advice and insight found in the Green Guide is based in large part on expertise of DHCD and DNR, as well as the best practices of the 23 designated communities under the Main Street Maryland program, but it has been written to be applicable to any Maryland community that seeks to "Go Green." The guide provides cities and towns with advice to address challenges like increasing population, rising energy costs, limited resources, water and air pollution, and climate change, and it provides information on available State programs and resources.

"Main Street Maryland has been an extremely effective program for comprehensive downtown revitalization," said DHCD Secretary Raymond A. Skinner. "By promoting these successful practices, we hope to provide a comprehensive set of examples to encourage green approaches and environmental protections that will also foster neighborhood revitalization and economic growth."

Sustainable and green communities seek to conserve resources; provide open spaces and parks for recreation and cultivation; offer multiple options for transportation; and use natural and cultural resources wisely to conserve for future generations. Specific areas addressed by the Green Guide include:

• Green building
• Historic preservation
• The "3 R's" – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Energy conservation
• Planting trees and creating green space
• Water conservation and stormwater management
• Sustainable transportation options and alternatives
• Engaging citizens in green events and practices

"Each of us has a role to play in helping to create a smarter, greener future for our State," said DNR Secretary John Griffin. "Our Going Green Downtown Guide – which was federally funded through our Coastal Zone Management Program – will help our communities take their sustainability efforts to the next level, and hopefully inspire individual citizens to do the same."

The Green Guide has already been lauded by National Trust Main Street Center Director Doug Loescher who called it, "one of the nation's most comprehensive guides yet produced on this topic that could serve as a great model for other states to emulate." To provide additional support and promotion of the concepts outlined in the Green Guide, DHCD and DNR have offered several training sessions over the past year including: Creating Green Spaces in Your Main Street; Historic Preservation & Green; Greening Main Street Merchants; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; and Green Building Certification: How to Get It and Use It. A second round of trainings kicked off in September with an educational session on stormwater management.

For more information or to download a copy of the Green Guide. News updates also are available by following DHCD on Twitter and Facebook.

Click here to download Going Green Downtown: A Sustainability Guide for Maryland's Main Streets

Source: Gov. Martin O'Malley
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The four term U.S. Senator has a thirty-five year record of public service in Maryland. She is a dedicated public servant who as a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, wages a yearly battle to procure federal funding for environmental programs, especially the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

A trailblazer in drawing attention to the effects of global warming on the Bay, Mikulski funds eighty-five percent of the nation's climate change-related science as Chairwoman of Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee. Her defense of the environment in Maryland is evident in her support for building a green jobs workforce, protecting the Chesapeake Bay, and for a clean energy economy.

"I'm so honored to accept this award. From the House to the Senate, I've loved any legislation that had water in it. Using my committee assignments, I've tried to be a champion for saving communities, saving lives and, in some small way, saving the planet," Sen. Mikulski says. "I'll continue to fight for the Bay, and invest in the green sciences so we have the right ideas to come up with the right science to combat the global climate change crisis. Thank you for honoring me tonight. I'm so proud to be your partner in fighting for a greener, cleaner future."

"We are thrilled to honor Sen. Mikulski for her long and accomplished record of protecting the Environment for people of Maryland," says Cindy Schwartz, executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. "We created a special 'Pearl' award in recognition of our 30th anniversary. Keith Campbell's unwavering commitment over the last ten years to the environment and continuing support of the work of MDLCV makes him the obvious choice".

Source: Cindy Schwartz, MDLCV
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Source: Cathy Allen
Writer: Walaika Haskins

If it's Monday, from now on students dining in Baltimore Public Schools' cafeterias may notice one thing missing -- meat in their school lunches.  System's (BCPSS) cafeterias. That's thanks in large part to Tony Geraci, BCPSS's director of food and nutrition services, who recently unveiled the school district's first "Meatless Mondays."

The decision to go with a vegetarian menu on Mondays has earned the school district PETA's  Proggy Award for Most Progressive Public School District of 2009. "Proggy" is for "progress."

"As soon as we heard, we wanted to encourage it because it's a huge step forward in healthy and humane eating. Baltimore is setting a great example for other school districts by instituting a program that's going to improve kids' health, be good for the environment, and also be something that helps fewer animals suffer," says Ashley Byrne, spokesperson, PETA.

Proggy awards are handed out to organizations that are leading the way by adopting more humane policies or creating more humane products. In the past the award has been given to a variety of organizations including restaurants and businesses. This is the first time the award has been given to an entire school district.

The Meatless Monday campaign is an effort to encourage Americans to cut beef and pork from their diet one day a week as a way of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the livestock industry and as a way of supporting locally grown foods.

"Removing meat from the menu one day a week will have a tremendous environmental impact. A recent UN report says that one pound of meat creates the equivalent greenhouse gases of driving a Hummer 60 miles. When you multipy that by one meal for an entire school district you can imagine what an impact just a single day a week is having," says Byrne

The American Dietetic Association says that a vegetarian diet is appropriate for all stages of life and reduces one's risk of heart disease, obesity, and cancer. Cutting down on meat also reduces greenhouse-gas emissions. In a U.N. report titled Livestock's Long Shadow, scientists concluded that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, ships, SUVs, and planes in the world combined. And, of course, going vegetarian is the best thing that anyone can do to help stop animal suffering. Vegetarians save more than 100 animals a year from factory-farm filth, mutilation without painkillers, and a terrifying death.

Source: Ashley Byrne, PETA
Writer: Walaika Haskins

According to the Baltimore City Department of General Services (DGS), the City will receive more than $400,000 as a result of participation in BGE's energy capacity savings program. Designed for customers to reduce the drain on the power provider during times of peak electric demand, the program provides alerts from BGE.

DGS reduces demand by activating backup generators at seven City facilities, including the Back River and Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plants, the Charles Benton and Abel Wolman buildings, and pumping stations at Jones Falls, Leaking Park and Dundalk. The agency's conservation efforts pay off handsomely with the City receiving a credit of more than $34,400 each month.

Last year, the program saved the city $38,000. Savings this year, however, have grown to 10 times that amount, with the agency already reporting savings of $300,000 this year through the implementation of utility bill audits and more than $5 million annually saved through other initiatives including energy performance contracting, installation of LED traffic lights and the waste-to-energy cogeneration facility at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Other energy conservation efforts currently underway include, evaluating the use of biofuels in City boilers and the weatherization of fire stations with replacement windows and new roofs.

Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: Baltimore City Department of General Services

Swedish bioenergy company, Swebo Bioenergy International, has selected Maryland as the location for its U.S. headquarters. The clean technology company, which develops, produces and sells climate neutral bioenergy systems, plans to open its new offices in Annapolis this fall.

Swebo will initially hire 3 employees, but expects to bring on an additional 15 to 20 employees as the company gears up to its begin manufacturing operation in the U.S.

Gov. Martin O'Malley met with Swebo during his economic development mission to Sweden last June. Company representatives came to Maryland, touring several locations throughout the state, including Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore before settling on Annapolis.

"I am pleased that our economic development mission to Sweden produced such significant and swift results," says Governor O'Malley. "Swebo International will be a great addition to the business community in Maryland, which, because of Maryland's leadership in the use of smart, green technologies, is quickly becoming a very attractive location for alternative energy companies.

Based in northern Sweden, Swebo specializes in manufacturing products that handle the efficient combustion of waste fuels.

"We are happy with what we have seen in Maryland and our options to establish a U.S. headquarters, followed by manufacturing operations," says Swebo Bioenergy CEO Mattias Lindren. "We looked at other states to establish our U.S. operations, but decided to locate in Maryland because of the support we received from Governor O'Malley."

Writer: Walaika Haskins

Federal employees at the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Metro West complex are getting new digs. The SSA plans to move its 1600 employees from its current location at 300 N. Greene Street in West Baltimore to a new office building in Northwest Baltimore near the Reisterstown Plaza Metro station.

The 538,000 square-foot office building and 1,076 square-foot garage will be built on an 11.3-acre parcel of land at 6100 Wabash Avenue that will be leased to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The GSA is currently seeking a developer to complete the building by 2012.

The move from the technologically obsolete West Baltimore offices is not a part of any stimulus project, according to Rochelle Spector, City Councilwoman of the 5^th District where the new offices will be built. However, it will have the same impact as stimulus money would act as an economic generator for the next four decades.

"This is a major anchor for Baltimore City. It will promote further development for that area, including more residential, office and retail spaces. This has already benefited our area. For the first time in the Park Heights area in almost 40 years we have one-family homes being built so that people can live, work and play here. That's a real plus. This is not stimulus but it accomplishes exactly what we need to do to get people to live and work in Baltimore city," she says.

The planned office complex is the first stage of a larger development centered on the metro station at Reisterstown Plaza. It will include housing, retail space and offices. It is part of an initiative by the state of Maryland to create transit-centered mixed-use developments. The Reisterstown location could become a model for similar developments.

Residents of Canton, Dundalk and other communities near the Port of Baltimore will soon be able to breathe easier. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the Port of Baltimore will receive $3.5 million in Recovery Act funding to help cut diesel pollution and clean the air in and around the Port.

The grant will be used to implement clean-diesel technology in 142 pieces of essential diesel-powered equipment used for harbor operations, including 2 tugboats, 7 locomotives, 50 short haul trucks and 83 on-dock handling units. It will also create jobs and reduce asthma rates and other respiratory illnesses.

The latest clean-diesel technology meets higher air quality standards. It is projected to cut emissions by up to 90 percent, dramatically reducing fine particulate and other pollutants contributing to smog. The new clean-diesel technologies include 9 engine repowers, 43 vehicle and equipment replacements, 83 exhaust controls and 7 idling devices.

The grant will also support extensive outreach to the maritime community with information about ways and technologies to cost-effectively reduce air emissions in collaboration with the Baltimore Port Alliance's environment committee.

"Recovery Act dollars will help the Port protect air quality and the health of Baltimore communities," says Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. "Investing in clean diesel puts people to work and keeps them working, which helps our economy and our environment."

The Port of Baltimore was one of seven applicants selected to receive a share of $16.1 million from a pool of 40 requests.

"We are pleased that the Environmental Protection Agency saw fit to award the Port of Baltimore one of these seven grants," says Kathy Broadwater, deputy executive director for the MPA. "This generous funding will help us continue our commitment to a cleaner and healthier Port of Baltimore and surrounding community. These stimulus dollars are an excellent example of our government working to retain employment and creating a healthier environment for the country."

In a nationwide survey comparing job postings to the number of unemployed, Baltimore earned the No. 3 spot.

According to Indeed.com, an online job hunting site, there's one job for each unemployed person in the city. The survey looked at the top 50 metropolitan areas in the U.S. based on its index of over 50 million jobs posted each year.

Washington, D.C. came in first place with a total of six jobs for every unemployed person, while Jacksonville took the No. 2 slot with employers there offering 3 jobs for each unemployed resident.

Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: Indeed.com

Columbia-based Martek Biosciences signed a joint development deal with BP to work on the production of microbial oils for biofuels applications. The respective partners bring a broad technology platform and operational capabilities to advance the development of a step-change technology to convert sugars into biodiesel.

Under the multi-year partnership, Martek and BP will collaborate to establish working prototypes for cost effective microbial biodiesel production through fermentation. Researched for more than 20 years, the challenge will be to adapt the technology to the needs of the biofuels market with regard to product profile and economics.

"Martek is pleased to partner with BP's Alternative Energy team, to combine our unique algae-based technologies and intellectual property for the creation of sustainable and affordable technology for microbial biofuel production," says Steve Dubin, Martek CEO.

BP will contribute up to $10 million for this initial phase of its collaboration with Martek, utilizing the company's expertise in microbial oil production and BP's production and commercialization experience in biofuels as the jumping off point for the joint project.

Martek will perform the biotechnology research and development related to the initial phase of the project, while BP will offer its integration within the biofuels value chain.