green technology : Innovation + Job News

Constellation Electric, a subsidiary of Constellation Energy, has launched a new program offering a renewable electricity supply option to residential customers in the BGE utility service area in Central Maryland. The program, Constellation Electric CleanEnergy, gives customers the ability to match 100 percent of their electricity with renewable energy certificates from clean, renewable wind power sources.

"Our customers have been making smart environmental choices by reducing their energy demand through energy efficient products and services, and with Constellation Electric CleanEnergy we wanted to give them the option of improving the sustainability of their energy supply too," says Kevin Klages, president & CEO of BGE HOME, the company offering Constellation Electric service. "Restructured energy markets like Maryland's give customers the ability to shop for their power, and this creates more options, such as the ability to select 100 percent wind power for their homes."

Constellation Electric has a 100 percent wind product offered at a one- or two-year fixed rate option. Constellation Electric CleanEnergy is accepting enrollments for its current wind offer through June 25. Current Constellation Electric customers who wish to add the wind option to their existing electricity supply contract can do so for an additional 1 cent/kWh by calling Constellation Electric through June 25 at 1-888-219-4239. 

BGE customers can also select non-renewable supply options and choose between fixed prices that vary depending on term and offer date. The company will not apply any additional fees, taxes or charges for consumers enrolling with Constellation Electric.


Source: Constellation Energy
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

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

Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, UMBC President Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, and Maryland Clean Energy Center Executive Director Kathy Magruder officially opened Maryland's first Clean Energy Technology Incubator (CETI) at UMBC.

" By growing our own companies, we'll add new green jobs to our economy, while supporting the discovery of new technologies that will further our commitment to a sustainable environment," said Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith

The Clean Energy Technology Incubator at UMBC is the first in a statewide network of clean energy incubators. It promotes entrepreneurship and job creation in industries that will impact the use of alternative energy sources in areas of interest including renewable energy, biofuels, smart grid technologies, electric vehicles, cybersecurity, and energy policy. Baltimore County is providing a $75,000 grant over two years through its Department of Economic Development to partially fund an Entrepreneur in Residence at the incubator.

Six companies were announced as the first tenants in the incubator, which is located in the Biotech Building on UMBC's South Campus. The incubator contains approximately 18,000 square feet of combined office and wet laboratory space.

Clean Green Chesapeake, LLC which focuses on using algae to simultaneously generate clean water, sequestration of CO2 and biofuels.

Plant Sensory Systems, LLC that develops technologies to improve crop performance, alleviate negative environmental impact, and increase levels of sugar, oil, and cellulose in plants so they can convert into biofuels.

Amethyst Technologies, LLC that consults on FDA guidelines and regulations and offers "green" services for design and creation of environmentally sustainable solutions.

COLUMBIA Technologies, LLC that provides 3D maps of underground pollution to lower the cost and risk of real estate redevelopment and contaminated site cleanup. The same software can be used in energy efficiency applications.

Amidus, LLC that works with clients to help them formulate and realize their strategies in the energy market.

UMBC Training Centers Offers high quality training and certification to individuals and organizations in the Baltimore region, including courses on CyberSecurity for the electric grid.Maryland Clean Energy Center Technology Incubator Network Opens First Site at bwtech@UMBC*

The Maryland Clean Energy Center has partnered with bwtech@UMBC to support early stage companies working with clean energy technologies and advance green job creation in our state.

"The Maryland Clean Energy Center is striving to partner with energy experts throughout the state in order to fulfill its mission of growing Maryland's clean energy economy through related economic development and job creation. Because bwtech@UMBC has a proven track record of success our Board elected to work with their team to establish our first Clean Energy Incubator Network site at UMBC," Katherine Magruder, executive director of MCEC says.

According to Magruder, "The intention is to draw from the depth and variety of the research presence in the state, and use the incubator network to move discoveries from the bench to the bank in the commercialization pipeline." She added, "The program seeks to provide affordable space as well as assistance with business plans, marketing, and management of intellectual property for start-up companies that are focused on a clean or renewable energy product, service or technology."

CETI is a natural fit with UMBC's strengths in environmental sciences and bwtech@UMBC's interest in and support of environmental science companies. bwtech@UMBC already hosts the headquarters of the U.S.

"bwtech@UMBC is delighted to establish this groundbreaking incubator," says Ellen Hemmerly, executive director of the bwtech@UMBC Research and Technology Park. "Maryland is positioned to become a leader in bioscience and environmental technologies, and we are excited to be a part of it."

Initial funding for the CETI will be provided by MCEC, bwtech@UMBC, and a grant from the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development to support the Entrepreneur-in-Residence.

"bwtech@UMBC has been a leader in nurturing entrepreneurship, fostering new ideas and generating jobs in Baltimore County for nearly two decades," says David S. Iannucci, executive director of Baltimore County Economic Development. "The Clean Energy Technology Incubator will increase its economic impact on the region."

In the long term MCEC is hoping to replicate this model in partnership with other jurisdictions and their economic development agencies.

Source: Baltimore County
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."

Source: E-Structors
Writer: Walaika Haskins

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.

"The Maryland Energy Administration is thrilled to be able to partner with Clean Cities to make continued strides in promoting electric vehicles and accelerate our transition to a cleaner energy future," says MEA Director Malcolm Woolf, "Maryland is moving to take advantage of this exciting technology, which promises to reduce fuel bills, improve air quality, and reduce our dependence on oil imports."

Source: Maryland Energy Administration
Writer: Walaika Haskins

First it was corn. Then came sugar cane, cooking oil, switch grass, and you name it researchers have tried it in the name of saving the planet from carbon emissions.

But, just when we all thought scientists had exhausted the possibilities, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Maryland College Park and Bowie State University have begun working on ways to turn poplar trees into high-yield crops for biofuels including ethanol, the renewable biofuel used in gasoline blends and flex-fuel vehicles. 

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

Constellation Energy recently announced plans to support the development of commercial photovoltaic power systems with a $90 million solar capital commitment. To maximize the value of government renewable incentives, the $90 million set-aside will be available for customer-sited solar installations of 500 kilowatts or larger which begin construction before mid-year 2010.

"Constellation Energy's solar capital commitment provides the resources to make photovoltaic power a simple and economical proposition for commercial and governmental customers who want to support clean, renewable energy at their facilities," says Michael D. Smith, senior vice president of green initiatives for Constellation NewEnergy. "Our solar business model gives customers a single source for every step of the process, from financing to planning and permitting, construction and long-term maintenance of the system. By working with Constellation Energy, customers can make meaningful and immediate impacts on their carbon and sustainability goals."

The capital commitment enables Constellation Energy to finance, design, construct and own solar installations for customers and supply the power generated on-site to the customer. This structure makes it possible for customers to deploy on-site solar and meet sustainability goals without incurring upfront costs. Approximately $18 million of the capital commitment has already been committed to projects soon to begin development in Maryland and New Jersey.

The companys has committed to expanding solar project development over the next several years. Constellation Energy currently has approximately 25 megawatts of solar power systems installed or under way in the U.S., ranging from customer-sited rooftop installations to a 17.1-megawatt large-scale project in Emmitsburg, Md., that will be among the largest in the U.S.

Constellation Energy has developed photovoltaic installations for retailers, manufacturers, government facilities and universities nationwide, with a focus on projects in Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and California where solar incentives and credits make development particularly attractive for customers financially. Solar renewable energy credits (SREC), which are granted to solar projects for every megawatt-hour of electricity produced, help make on site solar projects economically attractive/ With SREC values scheduled to decline over time as states require the development of more solar generation, the next several months represent the optimal time to begin construction of on-site solar with the strongest project economics.

Structured correctly, today's photovoltaic power systems can generate electricity that is priced at or below the cost of power from the grid. Qualifying projects of 500 kilowatts generally require at least 100,000 square feet of roof space or two acres of open ground. Organizations interested in developing solar projects can contact Constellation Energy at [email protected] or 1-877-427-2005.

Source: Constellation Energy
Writer: Walaika Haskins

General Motors execs have pegged the GM Baltimore Transmission plant to produce its next generation electric drive motors for plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles. The automaker will add a high-volume electric drive manufacturing facility to the Baltimore County plant in White Marsh, bringing more than 200 new jobs to the area. The company will also retrain hundreds of workers already employed at the plant.

Over nine years, the $244 million project will generate approximately $90 million in direct wages and salaries and $2.5 million in Baltimore County taxes, according to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.

"This plant expansion shows the economic power of bringing a world-class workforce together with corporate, federal, state and local government resources," says Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.

The GM Baltimore Transmission plant will be the first electric motor manufacturing facility in the U.S. operated by a major automaker. Regular production is scheduled to begin in 2013 for next generation two-mode rear wheel electric drive motors.

Total project investment at the White Marsh plant is $244 million. GM is investing $129 million. The federal government is supporting electric drive systems manufacturing with a previously announced $105 million U.S. Department of Energy grant through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. As investment and job milestones are met, Baltimore County will provide up to $6 million in grants from the Baltimore County Business Growth Fund and a $150,000 Baltimore County Economic Development Training grant. The State of Maryland is providing a $3 million conditional grant through the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund (MEDAF) and a $1.5 million grant from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation Workforce Training Fund.

Opened in December 2000, the GM Baltimore Transmission plant was selected in 2006 to manufacture the first hybrid transmission designed and built in the United States. GM currently employs 224 salaried and hourly workers in the eco-friendly White Marsh facility.

GM made the initial decision in 1999 to locate the plant in White Marsh in part because there has been a major GM van assembly plant in the Baltimore area for generations, meaning there was a large supply of skilled workers in the area, says David Iannucci, director, Baltimore County Department of Economic Development.

"They had an outstanding experience at that time by any measure of which we are aware. It is in General Motors corporate history, the fastest a plant went from a shovel in the ground to a sellable product out the door -- in 17 months. So they had an outstanding experience there. They also had an outstanding experience working with the Community College of Baltimore County to retrain the van assembly workers to make automatic transmissions, a completely different set of manufacturing technologies and techniques," Iannucci explains.


Source: David Iannucci, Baltimore County Department of Economic Development
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Maryland Energy Sector Partnership, led by the Governor's Workforce Investment Board (GWIB), has been awarded a $5.8 million grant by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration to implement programs that will prepare more than 1,500 Marylanders for green jobs in manufacturing, construction, environmental technology and solar energy.

"In Maryland we have set a goal of creating at least 100,000 green jobs by 2015, and we are working across our State government - along with partners in organized labor, and in the private, academic, and non-profit sectors - to implement specific action items that are designed to create new jobs, advance eco-friendly technologies, and provide more Marylanders with the skills they need to participate and maximize the benefits of a green economy for their own families," says Gov. Martin O'Malley.

"This federal funding not only represents an important step forward towards this goal for Maryland's families, but it also demonstrates the progressive strategy the Obama Administration is taking towards creating jobs for the next generation economy."

The project will involve partnerships among businesses, community colleges, labor apprenticeship programs and the One-Stop Workforce System. It will implement training for both new and incumbent workers to ensure there is a pipeline of skilled workers for jobs in the emerging green economy. Emphasis will be placed on providing opportunities for veterans and reservists, low wage workers and ex-offenders to meet the demands of Maryland employers.

"This grant provides us with a tremendous opportunity to help reach our goal of increasing skills of Maryland workers 20 percent by 2012," Sec. Alexander M. Sanchez says. "It is a much deserved recognition of the O'Malley-Brown Administration's commitment to strengthening and growing the middle class, and shows that "Smart, Green and Growing" will offer real opportunities for Marylanders in the 21st century economy."

The funding will be divided into four consortium efforts:

• Baltimore Regional Green Tech Workers Program. This effort will improve manufacturing sustainability practices, waste stream management and "lean to green" practices in the manufacturing sector. This project will train 705 incumbent and new workers in two tracks - the Green Worker Training Program for new, entry-level manufacturing positions, and Purdue University's Green Workforce Training Certificate program for incumbent workers with intermediate skills. The program will offer three levels of certification provide through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and M-Tech programs at the University of Maryland, working with local community colleges.
• Green Training for Energy Efficient Advancement. This partnership of workforce boards, community colleges, building and trades organization and labor unions will train 850 workers to retrofit residential, commercial and industrial buildings. This project will meet the need for skilled green construction and trades workers expected to be needed in the Baltimore-Washington region to meet demands for work resulting from investments funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), building related to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program, and increased energy initiatives of major utilities to comply with the Empower Maryland legislation.
• Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education (CACHE): Institute for Environmental Careers. This partnership of workforce investment boards, four community colleges and leaders from the private sector and governments in counties surrounding the Chesapeake Bay will train 210 students with community college credit courses leading to certificates in environmental technology. It is designed to help workers take advantage of the environmental technology careers that are projected to grow around the Bay.
• Go Solar! Regional Partnership. This business-driven consortium will utilize existing renewable energy curriculum, mostly from the Institute for Environmental Careers' existing courses. IBEW Local 26 and IEC-Chesapeake will act as entry-level service providers. They will collaborate with Goodwill Industries, Job Corps, correctional facilities and existing businesses to train 480 new and incumbent workers.

"We are projecting that at least 70 percent of the Marylanders trained through these programs will be placed into a related job within the three-year grant period," says Eric M. Seleznow, GWIB Executive Director. "These programs also address an immediate need to help dislocated workers, particularly those in jobs that will never come back, to obtain the new skills they need to re-enter the workforce and participate in the new green economy."

This latest grant follows a $4 million grant awarded by USDOL in November to the MidAtlantic Regional Collaboration (MARC) Green Consortium, headed by DLLR's Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning, to define the regional green economy and develop a workforce investment plan to support it. That consortium includes the Virginia Employment Commission, the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, the District of Columbia's Workforce Investment Council, the Maryland Governor's Workforce Investment Board and the Virginia Workforce Council.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Sen. Barbara Mikulski and Sen. Ben Cardin have scored $4.6 million in stimulus funding for job training in renewable and energy efficient industries in Maryland through the Department of Labor (DOL).

The grant has been awarded H-CAP, Inc to provide enhanced skills training to job seekers and entry-level environmental service workers for new and emerging green jobs in the healthcare industry. The project will operate in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Prince George's County in Maryland, as well as counties in New York, California and the District of Columbia.

"This funding is exactly what the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act is all about - creating and sustaining jobs today and preparing for the jobs of tomorrow," says Sen. Mikulski. "This grant will give Marylanders the opportunity to get the training they need to find and keep a job, while also helping to make sure that health care in Maryland is environmentally friendly."

"This Partnership is funded with recovery dollars and it is an investment in our future � a future in which our state and nation will become more energy efficient and independent and one that will create new, green jobs that will help grow our economy," adds Sen. Cardin.

H-CAP, Inc. will partner with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Maryland as well as Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), a coalition that promotes environmentally-friendly healthcare practices, to train approximately 3,000 job seekers. The project will also develop new curricula that will cover the role of environmental service workers in green healthcare, the development of cross-industry green jobs and green career pathways for entry-level workers.

Source: Senator Barbara Mikulski
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, along with Director of Sustainability David Carroll and Charles Reighart, Recycling and Waste Prevention Manager, announced that single stream recycling collection will begin in Baltimore County on February 1, 2010.

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

Gov. Martin O'Malley, in partnership with the University System of Maryland,  revealed the results of the Generating Clean Horizons initiative, a program intended to spur large-scale, commercial renewable energy projects that will provide electricity to Maryland. Gov. O'Malley announced the issuance of awards in response to an innovative competition for the supply of clean energy to the State, offering long-term power purchase agreements to a suite of clean energy developers that can place a portfolio of renewable power on the grid before 2014, create green jobs, and promote a more sustainable energy future.

"Our State is a leader in clean energy, and the results of this initiative demonstrate Maryland's commitment to the clean energy technologies of today as significant building blocks towards a smart, green and growing Maryland," says Gov. O'Malley. "With the combined resources of strategic public and private partnerships, we will continue to bring more green jobs to our communities, use public resources more efficiently, and lead by example for other States."

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

Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer has launched a green initiative that will help Annapolis property owners to easily make energy efficiency improvements to their buildings. The initiative builds on legislation passed by Annapolis in January 2009 enabling its property owners to attach energy improvement loans to their properties. Annapolis is the first City in Maryland to pass such legislation.
 
The City of Annapolis, in cooperation with Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), Edison|Wright and Direct Energy will launch the first phase of the program Annapolis EZ|Energy Zone (Annapolis EZ) in early 2010. The program is designed to help with financing and implementation of energy efficiency for Annapolis residential property owners. Annapolis EZ anticipates improving up to 50 properties in Annapolis during the first phase of the program. It is currently signing up interested participants.

"Many residential property owners would like to improve the energy efficiency of their home," says Mayor Moyer. "However, high upfront cost and other financial hurdles often deter them from getting involved. Annapolis EZ does exactly what the name says � it makes it easy to move forward with projects and see real savings on energy bills."

The program is financed by MCEC with funding made available from stimulus dollars through MEA.

Annapolis EZ makes it possible for Annapolis property owners to finance energy improvements without affecting their credit score, and if they sell their property before the loan is paid off, the next property owner will take over the payments along with the reduced energy bill. The Annapolis EZ program also provides property owners with a list of only pre-approved, certified auditors, installers and contractors. 

PACE programs have the potential to unleash over $250 billion of investment into clean energy improvements over the next 10 years, eliminating more than a gigaton of CO2 emissions, saving $1.75 billion in annual electricity costs and creating 400,000 jobs per year.
 
Source: City of Annapolis
Writer: Walaika Haskins

"Increased education and easy to use programs are the keys to fundamentally changing our energy usage in the State of Maryland and across the United States," says Eric Palm, Vice President of Direct Energy - Annapolis EZ|Energy Zone?s lead energy retrofit provider. "Conducting an energy assessment of their home is the first step for a homeowner to understand what improvements need to be undertaken to reduce their energy usage and positively impact the environment."
 
Annapolis EZ will use contractors who are participating with the Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. These contractors have been trained to take a �whole-house? approach that identifies comfort, safety and energy efficiency improvements.

Salesgen, a Swedish, a sales and marketing company, has chosen to set up shop in Maryland. The company has received $425,000 (SEK 3 Million)i n external financing to establish the House of GreenTech with offices and registered corporations in the U.S. and Sweden. Salesgen will also act as the formal representative of the State of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development in Sweden and Finland.

"Salesgen's decision to set up a U.S. headquarters is another great win from our economic development mission to Sweden in June and further evidence that Maryland is well positioned to attract clean energy and green technology enterprises," says Gov. Martin O'Malley. "Maryland and Sweden share common interests in green technology and energy solutions and we look forward to learning from our European partner's ways to create a smarter and greener Maryland."

A large number of Swedish companies have developed green technologies and products that have tremendous potential in the U.S. market. But they rarely have the resources to take their offerings to the U.S. market. Even fewer have the financial muscle, knowhow and network to successfully establish U.S. subsidiaries and offer project financing. That's where Salesgen's House of GreenTech adds value, with registered corporations in the US and Sweden and vast experience from sales and marketing of technologies, products, and solutions.

"The capital infusion allows us to establish House of GreenTech and further emphasize the advantages of Salesgen; to be able to market Swedish GreenTech in the U.S. from U.S. offices, do business as a company incorporated in the U.S., and to add project financing to the equation. We have senior advisors and members of the board of directors on both sides of the Atlantic, providing Nordic GreenTech companies with a unique interface to the U.S. market", says Peter Selemark, Executive VP SALESGEN and CEO of the U.S. based Salesgen House of GreenTech, a subsidiary of Salesgen.

"The market for GreenTech is roughly where the IT market was in the nineties. Dynamics are strong and the market is largely uncharted territory. But this time there is a great window of opportunity to bring technology from Sweden to U.S. instead of just importing to Sweden", continues Peter Selemark.

A group of European investors with ties to Sweden provided the first round of external financing with $425,000 (SEK 3 Million). Additional investors may enter in the next two quarters, after which an IPO for about $1 � 1.2 Million (SEK 7-9 Million ) and a listing on one of the smaller stock exchanges in Sweden is planned. The target is to reach$ 70 Million (SEK 500 Million) in revenues from GreenTech in five years.

Source: Salesgen
Writer: Walaika Haskins