(4/2018) Frederick County’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources (OSER) was awarded a $350,000 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) 2018 Clean Energy Communities grant program. The grant will fund OSER’s sixth round of its Power Saver Retrofits program (PSR). MEA’s program had roughly half the amount of funds to distribute across the state compared to previous years and Frederick County’s award was one of the two largest awarded.

A special initiative of the Frederick County Green Homes Challenge, PSR targets moderate- and low-income households whose incomes are less than 85% of the median income limit for Frederick County. For each eligible homeowner, contractors certified with the Building Performance Institute, will provide a no-cost Home Performance with Energy Star audit and up to either $7,000 or $10,000 in home energy saving solutions, such as air and duct sealing, insulation, and upgrades of appliances and heating and cooling systems to Energy Star® models. If the audit determines that a heating or cooling system needs to be upgraded, up to $10,000 is available; otherwise the limit is $7,000. There is no cost to the homeowner to participate.

Approximately 50 homes will be served and, of those, 15 will be reserved for City of Thurmont residents who are not eligible for Potomac Edison energy saving incentives because Thurmont has its own utility. While the program is not likely to begin serving customers until July, homeowners can apply now to get on the Waiting List. Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Maryland Energy Administration’s Clean Energy Communities grant program is funded through Maryland’s Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF), which is made up of the proceeds from the auction of carbon allowances to electric power plants under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The SEIF does not include any Maryland general funds or ratepayer surcharges.

PSR is open to homeowners that meet the moderate- or low-income requirements. For a 1- person household, gross income cannot exceed $65,700; for a 2-person household, gross income cannot exceed $75,050; a 3-person household’s income cannot exceed $84,400; a 4-person household’s income cannot exceed $93,750; and 6-person household’s income cannot exceed $108,800. To learn more about the PSR program or to download an application, visit the Power Saver Retrofits web page at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/psr or contact Lisa Orr at 301-600-6864 or LOrr@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

The Green Homes Challenge helps Frederick County Residents reduce energy use and utility bills, adopt environmentally friendly practices, and use renewable energy. To participate in this interactive, web-based Challenge, visit www.FrederickGreenChallenge.org