Maryland governor accepts solar policy recommendations
MARYLAND –On January 8, Gov. O’Malley accepted a report recommending further reforms that seek to expand solar energy production, promote electric-drive vehicles and adopt energy efficiency standards for home electronic devices, among other strategies. The Maryland Energy Outlook (MEO) report will supply objective policy support in helping the state achieve its clean energy goals, Gov….
MARYLAND –On January 8, Gov. O’Malley accepted a report recommending further reforms that seek to expand solar energy production, promote electric-drive vehicles and adopt energy efficiency standards for home electronic devices, among other strategies. The Maryland Energy Outlook (MEO) report will supply objective policy support in helping the state achieve its clean energy goals, Gov. O’Malley said in a statement.
Specifically, the report says the state’s solar energy capabilities are underutilized and that more incentives need to be used to encourage sellers of residential or commercial property to disclose energy consumption levels. To promote the adoption of clean energy practices and the development of clean energy industries, the MEO suggests creating and extending several tax credits – for zero energy buildings, renewable energy production, combined heat and power (CHP) systems – as well as a new appliance efficiency standard. See the Governor’s press release for more information.
In December, Gov. O’Malley also announced the start of four projects through the Generating Clean Horizons initiative, meant to spur large-scale, commercial renewable energy projects with the University System of Maryland. Awards were made for two 55 MW wind energy projects, one on-shore and one off-shore wind project, as well as a 13 MW solar project in Central Maryland and a 10 MW project in the western part of the state.
