Government Eco-Action Monday: Go Green This Summer Part III

Bay State offers a bounty of incentives

In my third post on what area governments are doing to help their residents go green this summer, I look at (last but certainly not least) the Bay State, Maryland. As we flock like seagulls to enjoy the Chesapeake Bay and its bounty (those famous crabs!) this summer, Maryland’s legislators are offering a bounty of their own – abundant energy-efficiency initiatives.

Let’s start with the Bay. The state’s namesake and national treasure is threatened by several overly abundant nutrients, including nitrogen—which causes increased algae blooms that block sunlight and kill underwater grasses, creating lower oxygen levels in the water. With twenty percent of Maryland property owners using septic systems for wastewater treatment, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has implemented a grant program to help residents upgrade their systems to reduce nitrogen up to 50 percent (traditional systems do nothing to remove nitrogen).

Residents who own a septic system can get a free upgrade – including equipment, installation and five years of maintenance. Funding is provided through the Bay Restoration Fund, aka the Flush Tax (the annual $30 per septic system user fee). More information can be found at www.mde.state.md.us/Water/CBWRF/osds/

Through the “Marylanders Plant Trees” program, the Bay State is partnering with residents to plant 50,000 trees by 2010 – offering an incentive of $25 off a tree of $50 or more. In addition to protecting water quality, absorbing carbon dioxide, and helping prevent soil erosion, trees can help reduce energy costs by 15 to 35 percent. One large tree alone can eliminate 5,000 gallons of stormwater runoff each year.

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), which advises the Governor on policies and changes in the various energy market segments, also offers a variety of money- and earth-saving initiatives. In addition to state programs, MEA’s site lists several county-based incentives: http://energy.maryland.gov/incentives/residential/CountyIncentives.asp

One of the more notable (although oddly not listed on the MEA site) is the Rainscapes Rewards Rebate Program sponsored by Montgomery County. From simple rain barrels to elaborate rain gardens, rainscapes recreate natural ecosystems to help capture soil and filter rain water, which prevents pollution runoff and erosion while recharging groundwater supplies. The program provides funding assistance of such projects for single- and multi-family residences, as well as commercial and private institutional land owners.

Through its Clean Energy Rewards Program, Montgomery County residents can receive a credit of half a cent ($0.005) for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of eligible clean energy used. Residents may register with one of the program’s approved energy suppliers or REC (renewable energy certificate) marketers. Essentially a carbon offset, one REC equals the environmental benefits of 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity from a clean energy - versus fossil fuel - generation source. RECs are terrific options for residents who don’t pay for electricity directly, including renters.

Unfortunately there are too many counties to cover here, so please share what your Maryland county is doing in the comments section below. And now for those crabs

Photo Credit: Flickr CC User TS Drown