Calvert Awarded $1.08 Million Maryland Energy Administration Grant To Fund Clean Energy Projects

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert’s Department of Public Works announced a block grant award from the Maryland Energy Administration, totaling $1,076,242.

Thomas “Tom” Jones, deputy director of general services, informed the Board of County Commissioners about the award at the June 16 meeting and requested that the commissioners approve the award to allow the county to pursue project-specific approvals.

According to a memo, the Department of Public Works, General Services Division, plans to use the full L-GEM allocation to advance a portfolio of projects that reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs and demonstrate county leadership in adopting clean energy in the county. Jones said the department plans to use $904,735 for renewable energy projects and $171,507 for energy efficiency projects.

Because the grant funding will be allocated across multiple projects, staff will schedule a public hearing in July and appear again before the BOCC to approve the related budget adjustments and project-specific expenses. There are no changes to the budget or fiscal impact to the county at this time.

There are five proposed projects that would be funded by this grant:

The county commissioners approved the award in a 5-0 vote, agreeing that the projects and grant were positive for the community. Commissioner Catherine Grasso called the move a “no-brainer.”

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