green technology : Innovation + Job News

The Maryland Energy Administration is now offering low-interest loans through the EmPOWER Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Loan Fund (EELF) to help Maryland business improve the energy performance of their facilities. The Energy Efficiency Loan Fund is financially supported through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the State of Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund . Proposed funding for the EELF is approximately $5.6 million through the end of fiscal year 2011.

"These loans will allow Maryland 's commercial and industrial businesses to implement energy efficiency solutions that not only save money and spur new job creation, but also help our State to achieve the EmPOWER Maryland goal of reducing energy consumption by 15 percent by the year 2015," says Gov. Martin O'Malley. "Today marks one more success for the families and workers of Maryland , as we strive to become a more Smart, Green and Growing State ."

Maryland businesses can now qualify for up to $500,000 for electric efficiency projects, and $750,000 for combined electric and gas/fuel oil efficiency projects with a minimum $35,000 for energy efficiency projects. Eligible types of energy efficiency projects may include, but are not limited to building weatherization, lighting technology upgrades, HVAC replacements or upgrades, and commercial refrigeration equipment upgrades.

"The Maryland Energy Administration has a wealth of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs available to all sectors in our State," commented MEA Director Malcolm Woolf. "The Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Loan Fund is yet another solid resource for Maryland businesses interested in increasing their energy savings and going green."

Businesses interested in the program are encouraged to download a project loan application at: www.energy.Maryland.gov/incentives/business, and to contact Jesse Fulton, the energy efficiency manager for this program at [email protected] or by phone at 410-260-7184 with any questions. Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a first come-first served basis. Applicants are encouraged to take advantage of other financial incentives offered to commercial and industrial businesses through their utility's EmPOWER energy efficiency programs.

Source: Maryland Energy Administration
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

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

The grant will enable the university to purchase research equipment and computer hardware and software, as well as to employ researchers and student assistants.

"Faculty and students will be using the new SERF facility to expand FSU's leadership role in the Appalachian region for research, development, implementation and training in renewable energy technologies and sustainable living," says Congressman Roscoe Bartlett. "America's grid, while an efficient and cost-effective distributor of electricity, is also remarkably vulnerable to natural disaster or deliberate attack. Residents and small businesses will benefit from SERF's work to develop alternative, renewable, local sources of energy and technologies to provide enough electricity for a small facility to operate independent of the grid."

SERF, a residential-size green building completely supplied by various renewable energy sources, will be built in the Allegany Business Center at FSU, near the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences Appalachian Laboratory. The building will be completely functional in fall 2010 and accommodate the FSU Renewable Energy Center to conduct research, education and outreach programs.

The research planned at SERF will study the effectiveness of sustainable energy resources in Appalachia. Using sensors to record wind and solar energy data at numerous locations, the data will be collected at SERF for processing and analysis, used to model, design and control integrated renewable energy supply systems. The ultimate goal will be to develop a knowledge-base for renewable and clean energy resources available in the region.

"Frostburg State University is perfectly located for this and other new energy research projects, with the state's broadest access to renewable energy resources," says Stephen Spahr, FSU vice president for Economic Development and Government Relations. "With the work being done here on renewable energy and other new energy resources, like the research into the Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves, FSU is positioning the region as a center for energy for the future."

SERF will accommodate the FSU Renewable Energy Center to conduct extended research, education and community outreach programs on renewable energy applications developed by FSU faculty and their project partners. The facility will also serve as an example of a self-sufficient off-grid building for individuals such as homeowners, farmers or entrepreneurs who seek energy security in Western Maryland or similar geographic locations.

"The new funding secured by Congressman Bartlett will make it possible to purchase cutting-edge equipment and employ distinguished researchers to conduct renewable energy projects in SERF," said the Soysals, both faculty in the Department of Physics and Engineering. "The design team is currently completing the architectural plans. Construction will start this spring and the building will be completed in fall 2010."

The grant is managed by the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory located at Morgantown, W.Va. The total budget for this phase of the project is $1.3 million, with about $455,000 coming from various other sources.

Source: Stephen Spahr, FSU
Writer: Walaika Haskins

There's a new incubator network in town. The Maryland Clean Energy Technology Incubator Network will offer support to early stage companies working with clean energy technologies and advance green job creation in Maryland.

The production of a partnership between Maryland Clean Energy Center and the bwtech@UMBC the new site, the Maryland Clean Energy Technology Incubator@bwtech (CETI), is the first in a planned statewide network of clean energy incubators designed to strengthen Maryland's "Smart, Green and Growing" energy economy.

"bwtech@UMBC is our first site because we were so impressed with their management and track record there," says Katherine Magruder, executive director of Maryland Clean Energy Center.

""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 UMB," she adds.

The goal 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, according to Magruder.

"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," she says.

CETI will provide services specifically tailored to the needs of companies working with solar power, wind power, geothermal, hydro-power, biofuels as well as energy management and storage technologies. A part-time Entrepreneur-in-Residence and an advisory board of experienced researchers and executives in the clean energy sector will also provide tenant companies with assistance.

CETI will occupy about 18,000 square feet of office and wet lab space in the Biotechnology Building of bwtech@UMBC's Incubator and Accelerator, located on the south campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

Writer: Walaika Hasins
Source: Katherine Magruder, Maryland Clean Energy Center

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

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."

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.