One Montgomery Green

Bethesda Green Relaunch & OMG Green Drinks @ Caddies
2024-04-25 17:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Caddies on Cordell, 4922 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814, United States
For more information about the Bethesda Green Relaunch Event: https://bit.ly/BethesdaGreen-Relaunch
To register for OMG Green Drinks at Caddies: https://bit.ly/OMGreenDrinks-Apr2024

Bethesda Green Relaunch Event
2024-04-25 14:00 - 17:00 | Bethesda Green, 4825 Cordell Avenue, Suite 200, Bethesda, 20814, United States
After 16 years as a catalyst for positive change, Bethesda Green would like to invite you to our Relaunch Event on April 25th. We will begin with a special ceremony at 2pm celebrating the launch of the Green Business Certification program (in collaboration with Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection) our Green Business Incubator and the reopening of our Center. The ceremony will be followed by an open house to recognize Earth Day, green businesses leaders and our community.
Please join and RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bethesda-green-relaunch-event-tickets-872035931947

DC EcoWomen – Women for the Planet: Building Green Businesses
2024-04-23 18:00 - 21:00 | Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St, NW, Washington, DC, 20009, United States
DC EcoWomen invites you to join us for a panel discussion featuring female founders who have started businesses in the environmental sector. From their initial inspirations to lessons learned, our panelists will share their stories, insights, and advice to empower aspiring female entrepreneurs.
Date: April 23rd
Time: 6-9 PM ET
Location: Busboys and Poets, 450 K Street Northwest Washington, DC 20001
Price: $15
Panelists include:
Nicole Whalen, CEO of Green Compass
Krisztina Christmon, CEO of Repurpose Farm Plastinc, Inc.
Skye Lawrence, Co-Founder of Ampere
Kay Rodriguez, Founder of Outerly & Co-Leader of DC Women Startup
Led by moderator, Rachel Fry, Founder of Free to Flourish
Following the panel, stay for a happy hour to network with like-minded individuals and forge meaningful connections. Catering will be offered. Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired and motivated by women who are making a positive impact on the world!
>>> Register here

33rd Annual Rockville Science Day
2024-04-21 12:00 - 17:00 | Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St, Rockville, MD, 20850, United States
Rockville Science Day (Sunday, April 21, 12:00 – 5:00 pm) at Montgomery College – Rockville Campus.
Join over 100 exhibitors celebrating science including NIH, University of Maryland, NSA’s National Cryptologic Museum, and many more. Also, Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will have an educational display to teach about composting and recycling. Free to attend and park – for more information, click here.
https://www.rockvillesciencecenter.org/rockville-science-day

Takoma Park Earth Day Celebration
2024-04-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park, Silver Spring, MD, United States
Join the Earth Day Celebration!
Saturday, April 20, 10 am – 2 pm
Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park, 15131 Anacostia Tributary Trail System, Silver Spring, MD 20901
In honor of Earth Month, the City of Takoma Park will host a celebration in the Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park. This event will feature exhibitors from both city departments and local environmental partners in close proximity to the new playground at Houston and Kennebec Ave. Snow cones, face painting, art activities and educational materials about sustainability programs will be available for the whole family! Come check out the EV showcase, attend a guided tree walk, and learn about the various environmental involvement opportunities in our community. Rain date is Sunday, April 21st.
Are you a community organization interested in having an exhibitor booth at this event? If so, please fill out this partner participation form.
For more information: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/sustainability/earth-month/

Introducing: Tree Care 101
2024-04-20 10:00 - 11:30 | MD
Introducing: Tree Care 101
Date: April 20 @ 10:00AM
Did you just pick up some trees from our giveaway? Do you have some existing trees that you want to grow healthy and hearty? Seneca Creek Watershed Partners is teaming up with Conservation Montgomery to offer a “Tree Care 101” workshop. Learn from certified arborists about proper planting, pruning, and care techniques to keep your trees healthy and ensure they continue to beautify our community and benefit the Seneca Creek Watershed. Space is limited, so register today!
Attendees also get a copy of the Tree Care 101 book.
Register here
Details: Attendance costs $25 per person, and will be held in a local HOA in the City of Gaithersburg, near Rio/Crown. Specific address information will be sent to registrants.

Rock Creek Palisades Creek Clean-Up
2024-04-20 09:00 - 12:00 | MD
RSVP to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9wbjwcS3IkIRAH6pxvPtk2rLa-4byX7iUUd2YU6a6poUrmw/viewform

Story of Our Stream @ Meadowbrook Local Park
2024-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Meadowbrook Local Park, 7901 Meadowbrook Ln, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, United States
Join us for the launch of Story of our Stream

Date: 4/18/2024, 1:00 PM to 3:00PM
In-person
Location: Meadowbrook Local Park Activity Building, 7901 Meadowbrook Ln, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Come learn about the health of five streams across DC, MD & VA at our State of the Streams Kickoff! Nature Forward evaluated the health of five streams and found that all five were harmed by increasing impervious surface and invasive plants, and by decreasing forests. The good news is that there are actions that residents and communities can take to protect our streams. You’ll hear firsthand from local leaders and advocates on the challenges our streams face and what we can do to help them. Refreshments will be provided. Event will occur rain or shine.

Montgomery County Energy Summit 2024
2024-04-15 - 2024-04-16 | Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, United States
Montgomery County Energy Summit 2024
April 15-16
Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Now in its 11th year, the annual Montgomery County Energy Summit has offered cutting-edge education focused on the latest trends in green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and related commercial, multifamily, and residential topics in Montgomery County.

Our target audience includes building owners, property managers, developers, energy contractors, and other sustainability professionals working in Montgomery County and the larger DMV area. This event typically attracts 300+ attendees, speakers, and exhibitors.
Montgomery County DEP would like to thank the US Green Building Council National Capital Region for their years of partnership in making this event a success.
The 2024 Energy Summit will take place at the metro-accessible Silver Spring Civic Building in downtown Silver Spring, MD.
Montgomery County continues to adopt policies and programs that move the building sector to an energy efficient, low-carbon future in line with the County’s climate action goals. Such policies require additional buildings and types to benchmark and report energy use data each year, set a framework for building energy performance standards that require most existing buildings to become more energy efficient over time, require all-electric new construction, and continue to adopt progressive building codes.
This year’s Summit will focus on preparing the commercial building community for compliance with energy benchmarking, building energy performance standards, and emerging building codes. We will explore requirements and opportunities in these areas and provide hands-on learning opportunities as well as case studies from commercial and multifamily buildings. The Summit will provide education sessions, hands-on Q&A and support, an “innovation alley” showcasing products and services, and a networking reception.
For more information, visit https://mcenergysummit.org/

TPSS Co-op Earth Day: Power to the Planaet
2024-04-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op, 201 Ethan Allen Ave., Takoma Park, MD, 20912, United States
Earth Day: Power to the Planet

Sunday, April 14 • 11 am – 3 pm

Music
11:00 AM – Mr. Lilo
12:30 PM – Seth Kibel and Daryl Davis
2:10 PM – The U-Liners
Featured Speakers

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich
MD Delegate Lorig Charkoudian
Takoma Park Mayor Talisha Searcy

Zero Waste Store Tour
12:00pm – Meet at TPSS Co-op Tent for Zero Waste tour of store with Board Member Orly Keiner
Sign Up here
Partner Organizations

TPSS Co-op Board
Citizen’s Climate Lobby
Small Things Matter
Climate Action Coffee Pollinators
Green Party of Montgomery County
Zero Waste in DC
Fulfillery
Manna Food Center
City of Takoma Park
Montgomery County Food Council
One Montgomery Green
UMD Insect Zoo
Meals on Wheels of Takoma Park
Friends of Native Trees Takoma
Little Bites Catering
Cookie YAY

For more information: https://tpss.coop/04-14-24-earth-day-power-to-the-planet/

MCPS Youth Climate Summit
2024-04-13 08:30 - 15:30 | Tilden Middle School, 6300 Tilden Ln, Rockville, 20852, United States
MCPS will host the its annual Youth Climate Summit
(Saturday, April 13, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm), in-person at Tilden Middle School.
This student-led event is designed to educate MCPS high school students about climate change and equip them with the tools to create climate action projects to bring back to their communities. During the summit, students will talk with environmental mentors, collaborate with peer leaders and grow as environmental activists. Students will have the option of attending the summit as mentors or participants. All students will receive Student Service Learning (SSL) hours, environmentally friendly food options and access to environmental justice resources. Transportation will be provided on MCPS electric buses. For more information or to register, click here.
https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/YouthClimateSummit/

GSSCC Economic Development Committee to Discuss Silver Spring Streetscape Standards
2024-04-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, 8601 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, United States
GSSCC Economic Development Committee to Discuss Silver Spring Streetscape Standards
NEW DATE
Friday, April 12
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Chamber Conference Room

All Chamber members are invited to attend the next Economic Development Committee meeting for a discussion on the Silver Spring Streetscape Standards with Atara Margolies, Project Manager, Montgomery Planning, and Carson Henry, Chief of Operations, Silver Spring Urban District.

Streetscape Standards address the following elements when they fall within the public right-of-way: sidewalk paving materials, street trees, lighting and furnishing and stormwater management facilities.

Advance registration is required.

REGISTER

OMG Green Drinks @ BabyCat Brewery
2024-03-28 17:30 - 20:00 | BabyCat Brewery, 10241 Kensington Pkwy, Kensington, MD, 20895, United States
Register at https://bit.ly/GreenDrinks-Mar2024.
See you there!
Suggested Donation of $10

2024-03-27 19:00 - 20:30 | MD
Data centers pose a greater threat to our climate goals than most of our lawmakers realize!
For the first time in this year’s MD General Assembly, lawmakers are considering legislation about data centers. The Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act of 2024 (SB0474 / HB0579) would disappointingly allow data centers an exception to use diesel generators. On March 7, the MD Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee advanced this bill out of committee. SB474/ HB579 goes against Maryland’s climate goals of becoming carbon neutral by 2045. You can read our testimony in our MGA24 blog.
Join us on March 27th at 7pm on Zoom for a FREE Conservation Café about the environmental impact of DATA CENTERS.
Register for the Mar 27 Conservation Café

2024-03-23 20:30 - 21:30 | MD
Join the global Earth Hour 🌎 movement by turning your lights off for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30 pm this Saturday, March 23rd. Earth Hour is a great time to think globally but also act locally.

https://www.earthhour.org/

DC EcoWomen: Growing Healthy Gardens & Communities
2024-03-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Teaism Penn Quarter, 400 8th St NW, Washington, DC, 20004, United States
Growing Healthy Gardens & Communities
Date: Thurs., March 21
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm
Location: Teaism, Penn Quarter
Join DC Ecowomen for a special event to celebrate Spring and gardening. Whether you are a novice or advanced gardener, learn from local women gardeners about community and school garden projects and best practices for starting your own garden. Bring your gardening questions and stories to share, so we can all learn together about creating thriving gardens with healthy soil, delicious vegetables and fruits, and flowers to create a habitat for pollinators.
Speakers include:

Carrie Vaughn, Farm Director Building Bridges Across the River
Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine Editor, GardenDC Podcast Host and Author of Groundcover Revolution and The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City
Willa Pohlman, Deputy Director, City Blossoms
Roshani Kothari, Local Gardener in Petworth DC

>>> Register Here

Easy Solar for Condos and HOAs
2024-03-20 16:00 - 18:00 | Rockville Innovation Center, 155 Gibbs Street, Rockville, 20850, United States
You’re Invited! Easy Solar for Condos and HOAs – A Market Series Event by Montgomery County Green Bank
Wednesday, March 20 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The Buchanan room on the 2nd floor of the Rockville Innovation Center
155 Gibbs St, Rockville, MD 20850
This Montgomery County Green Bank event is ideally suited for Common Ownership Community (COC) Associations, COC Board members, Condo Unit Owners and residents of Homeowners Associations, Solar Installers interested in installing for COCs, as well as lenders, policymakers, advocates, and contractors interested in learning about how COCs can install solar more easily.
Members of HOAs and Condo owners may have an additional layer of permission to obtain in order to go solar. Condominium associations need to follow the Maryland Condo Act in order to sign a lease, and HOA residents need to follow the HOA’s bylaws, which may include filling out a form and installing the solar PV system in a certain way. Learn from folks that know the process backwards and forwards, what resources are available to help, and how to advocate for more solar for COCs in Maryland!
Panelists:

Mayor Monique Ashton, City of Rockville
Brian Haaser, Representative, Glen Manor Condominiums
Maris Burnes, Ipsun Solar

Details: Refreshments will be provided.
Venue: The Buchanan room on the 2nd floor of the Rockville Innovation Center at 155 Gibbs St , Rockville, MD 20850.
To register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/market-series-easy-solar-for-condos-and-hoa-residents-tickets-847010690777

The Rachel Carson Council & 10 Years of Environmental Justice Advocacy
2024-03-19 18:00 - 20:30 | Hart Senate Office Building, 120 Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC, 20002, United States
The Rachel Carson Council & 10 Years of Environmental Justice Advocacy
Tuesday, March 19 • 6 – 8:30 pm
Hart Senate Building, 120 Constitution Avenue Northeast #Room 902 Washington, DC 20002
Join the RCC to honor environmental justice champions, Sen. Whitehouse and RCC President & CEO Bob Musil at a reception at the Hart Senate Office Building.
For tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-rachel-carson-council-10-years-of-environmental-justice-advocacy-tickets-852303762497

Weed Warriors Event – Fun in the Park
2024-03-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Malcolm King Park, 1200 West Side Dr, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, United States
Weed Warriors Event – Fun in the Park
When? Saturday March 16th from 10 – 11:30 am
Where? Malcolm King Park at the end of School Drive.
Help us remove invasive plants in Malcolm King Park, and learn about the native plants that are found there. We are pulling out plants like multiflora rose and oriental bittersweet, that crowd out the beautiful native plants and the wildlife they support. Wander and enjoy the beauty of this gorgeous park after the event.
To help, you must be wearing long pants, sturdy shoes and be aware that the plants can be thorny.
Questions? Contact Mary Hlavinka @ mjhlavinka@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you there!

Connecting Climate Change and Plastics
2024-03-14 19:00 - 20:30 | MD
Connecting Climate Change and Plastics
with Holly Kaufman on Mar. 14 @ 7 pm
Register for this and future meetings: bit.ly/bpvg2024
Click 👉 here 👈 to join the meeting, or grab this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81418357639?pwd=[REDACTED]
Feel free to share the event registration link (bit.ly/bpvg2024) with friends and advocates!

If the plastics industry was a country, it would be at least the fifth largest producer of the emissions that cause climate change. Yet, somehow, most people don’t make a connection between climate change and plastics.
Join us on Thursday, March 14 at 7PM for a presentation by the amazing Holly Kaufman, who wrote one of the first articles on Why Plastics Are Also A Climate Issue. She will explain the state of the science on climate change and plastics today — what we know and what we don’t know — and discuss what we can do to fill in the gaps as well as move forward on policy and activism.
Holly is the founder and President of Environment & Enterprise Strategies where she advises such organizations as the Union of Concerned Scientists, the National Science Foundation, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. She served in the Clinton administration as a negotiator on the UN climate treaties. She is also the co-founder and co-director of The Plastics & Climate Project.

See you soon! —The BPVG Steering Committee (Ashley, David, Eileen, Eve, Rebekah)

Missed our February meeting, “Tackling Petrochemical Pollution” with Jane Patton? Find the recording at bit.ly/bpvg-video along with all of our talks over the last two years!

Our Mission: We educate, connect and inspire our community of volunteers to combat single-use plastics and the plastic pollution crisis.

Webinar: Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking for Service Providers and Data Verifiers
2024-03-13 12:00 - 13:30 | MD
Important Changes to Energy Benchmarking in Montgomery County
The calendar year 2023 benchmarking season as begun. Energy benchmarking reports are due to DEP by Monday, June 3, 2024. This year, energy benchmarking is required of all commercial and multifamily buildings 25,000 gross square feet and larger. DEP is beginning outreach to covered buildings and the buildings inventory provides a list of all covered buildings.
DEP is hosting this second webinar to prepare you for benchmarking this year:

March 13, noon – 1:30 pm: Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking for Service Providers and Data Verifiers
This presentation is geared to benchmarking service providers and data verifiers and will provide more in-depth information about ensuring data quality, accessing aggregated utility data, and fielding questions. REGISTER

Read on for two important updates for benchmarking and reporting this year:

New Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking Reporting Portal
DEP has created a new Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking Reporting Portal to provide benchmarking resources and status updates in one place. Within the Portal, users can:

Claim building(s)
Submit an extension, waiver, or exemption request
Submit annual benchmarking report(s)
Re-report data for previous calendar years or submit revisions to benchmarking data
View compliance status and disclosed data for each building

As such, the process for submitting your calendar year 2023 benchmarking report to DEP has changed. Reporters must follow the updated instructions to submit data.
To report your benchmarking data to DEP once you have entered all required information into ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, reporters must connect with MontgomergyDEP and share your building(s) via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Reports can then be submitted via the new Montgomery County Building Energy Benchmarking Reporting Portal.

Rally in Annapolis to EmPOWER MD's Future!
2024-03-13 11:00 - 12:30 | Lawyer’s Mall, Maryland State House, 100 College Ave, Annapolis, MD, 21411, United States
Rally in Annapolis to EmPOWER MD’s Future!
Wednesday, March 13 • 11 am – 12:30 pm
Rally in support of HB864 for reform of the MD EmPOWER program so it aligns with state climate goals & helps create healthier homes!
Join the EmPOWER Coalition for a rally on Wednesday, 3/13 from 11am-12:30pm! The event will take place on Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis. We’ll be rallying in support of HB 864 and passing needed updates to EmPOWER, Maryland’s energy efficiency program. Join for an event filled with fun (let’s do the electric slide!), inspiration, treats, and opportunities to take action—register here for updates!
Register for the rally: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rally-in-annapolis-to-empower-mds-future-tickets-849585542227

Let’s Go Solar Takoma Park (and beyond)
2024-03-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD, 20912, United States
Join the upcoming Go Solar TkPk Event on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 7:00-9:00 PM, City Auditorium
This info session will educate all residents—both renters and homeowners, about obtaining solar energy for your home. It will feature details on the upcoming solar co-op campaign with Solar United Neighbors, offer information on community solar from Neighborhood Sun, and information on clean energy options overall. This will be an interactive event for anyone interested in, thinking about, or planning for solar.
This is a free event, and no registration is required.
If you require language interpretation, please email dorothye@takomaparkmd.gov in advance.
Can’t make it in person? No problem! The event will be live-streamed. Register to join virtually here.

Illumination Station – Wheaton Library
2024-03-12 10:30 - 14:30 | Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
💡Illumination Station 💡

Larissa.Johnson@montgomerycountymd.gov

View Organizer Website

VENUE: Wheaton Library 11701 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902
DATE/TIME: March 12 • 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Illuminations Stations are information tables that provide an opportunity to shine a light on ways for people to lower their utility bills, apply for energy assistance, and receive items to help them keep money in their pockets! Visit the library to get more information about energy programs and more!
You also can bring your old incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs to swap them for new energy efficient LED light bulbs. You can bring us as many lightbulbs as you want but there is a limit to 3 LEDs per person. *Please note we only provide standard 60 W equivalent LED bulbs that are 2700K meaning they are warm lightbulbs. If you would like to swap out more bulbs, we encourage you to schedule a Quick Home Energy Checkup with your utility company.
This program is in collaboration with Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Pepco.
For more information: https://mygreenmontgomery.org/event/%f0%9f%92%a1illumination-station-%f0%9f%92%a1-22/

Illumination Station – Rockville Memorial Library
2024-03-11 14:30 - 17:30 | Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD, 20850, United States
💡Illumination Station 💡

Larissa.Johnson@montgomerycountymd.gov

View Organizer Website

VENUE: Rockville Memorial Library 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD, 20850
DATE/TIME: March 11 • 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Illuminations Stations are information tables that provide an opportunity to shine a light on ways for people to lower their utility bills, apply for energy assistance, and receive items to help them keep money in their pockets! Visit the library to get more information about energy programs and more!
You also can bring your old incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs to swap them for new energy efficient LED light bulbs. You can bring us as many lightbulbs as you want but there is a limit to 3 LEDs per person. *Please note we only provide standard 60 W equivalent LED bulbs that are 2700K meaning they are warm lightbulbs. If you would like to swap out more bulbs, we encourage you to schedule a Quick Home Energy Checkup with your utility company.
This program is in collaboration with Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Pepco.
For more information: https://mygreenmontgomery.org/event/%f0%9f%92%a1illumination-station-%f0%9f%92%a1-23/

Illumination Station: White Oak Library
2024-03-10 08:00 - 17:00 | White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20904, United States
💡Illumination Station 💡

Larissa.Johnson@montgomerycountymd.gov

View Organizer Website

VENUE: White Oak Library 11701 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20904
DATE/TIME: March 13 • 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Illuminations Stations are information tables that provide an opportunity to shine a light on ways for people to lower their utility bills, apply for energy assistance, and receive items to help them keep money in their pockets! Visit the library to get more information about energy programs and more!
You also can bring your old incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs to swap them for new energy efficient LED light bulbs. You can bring us as many lightbulbs as you want but there is a limit to 3 LEDs per person. *Please note we only provide standard 60 W equivalent LED bulbs that are 2700K meaning they are warm lightbulbs. If you would like to swap out more bulbs, we encourage you to schedule a Quick Home Energy Checkup with your utility company.
This program is in collaboration with Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Pepco.
For more information: https://mygreenmontgomery.org/event/%f0%9f%92%a1illumination-station-%f0%9f%92%a1-21/

Webinar: Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking
2024-02-28 12:00 - 13:30 | MD
Important Changes to Energy Benchmarking in Montgomery County
The calendar year 2023 benchmarking season as begun. Energy benchmarking reports are due to DEP by Monday, June 3, 2024. This year, energy benchmarking is required of all commercial and multifamily buildings 25,000 gross square feet and larger. DEP is beginning outreach to covered buildings and the buildings inventory provides a list of all covered buildings.
DEP is hosting two webinars to prepare you for benchmarking this year:

February 28, noon – 1:30 pm: Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking
This presentation is geared to new benchmarkers or those less familiar with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and the benchmarking requirements. REGISTER

March 13, noon – 1:30 pm: This presentation is geared to benchmarking service providers and data verifiers and will provide more in-depth information about ensuring data quality, accessing aggregated utility data, and fielding questions. REGISTER

Read on for two important updates for benchmarking and reporting this year:

New Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking Reporting Portal
DEP has created a new Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking Reporting Portal to provide benchmarking resources and status updates in one place. Within the Portal, users can:

Claim building(s)
Submit an extension, waiver, or exemption request
Submit annual benchmarking report(s)
Re-report data for previous calendar years or submit revisions to benchmarking data
View compliance status and disclosed data for each building

As such, the process for submitting your calendar year 2023 benchmarking report to DEP has changed. Reporters must follow the updated instructions to submit data.
To report your benchmarking data to DEP once you have entered all required information into ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, reporters must connect with MontgomergyDEP and share your building(s) via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Reports can then be submitted via the new Montgomery County Building Energy Benchmarking Reporting Portal.

Earth Day Live: Planet vs Microfibers – Fashion's Gigantic Little Problem
2024-02-28 12:00 - 13:00 | MD
Planet vs Microfibers – Fashion’s Little Problem
Wednesday, February 28 • 12 noon EST • LIVESTREAM
Although microscopic as their name suggests, the shedding of tiny microfibers from our clothing is the most insidious way the fashion industry harms our world.
Invisible microfibers fill our oceans, our air, and our soil. They are ubiquitous – found in aquatic life at the bottom of the Marianna Trench, and in the snow on top of Mt. Everest. They are also in our bodies, our hearts, our intestines, our lungs, and the plastic that makes polyester has been found in human bloodstreams. In the oceans, 35% of all microplastics are from our clothes.1 How did they get there, what does the government know about the problem, and how do we tackle it?
On Wednesday, February 28th at 12:00pm Eastern, EARTHDAY.ORG will collaborate with the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network and the Fashion Impact Fund for Planet vs. Microfibers: Fashion’s Gigantic Little Problem.
Join us as we look at the remarkable work of scientists who have traced the pervasiveness of microfibers to the farthest edges of the globe, who are guiding governments in confronting this environmental crisis and who, through invention, are designing a new path for the sake of the planet.
RSVP now for the live event.

Earth Day Live: Debating Planet Earth’s Urgent Issues

Rally for the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act
2024-02-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Lawyer’s Mall, Maryland State House, 100 College Ave, Annapolis, MD, 21411, United States
Rally for the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act!

Wednesday, February 28 • 12 pm – 1 pm
Lawyer’s Mall, Annapolis
Rally with us to support the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (HB 836 and SB 681) that will help align Maryland’s transportation plans with our climate targets and expand access to affordable transportation choices such as public transit, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure!
For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rally-for-the-transportation-and-climate-alignment-act-tickets-847593724647

Support electrification support new STRIDE law!
2024-02-22 19:30 - 20:30 | MD
Support electrification ⚡ support new STRIDE law!
Utilities make us pay for pipes we don’t need! Join us on Thursday, Feb 22 at 7:30PM to learn about the harmful spending of our money by gas utilities and how we can work together to end it!
Utilities use the STRIDE law to continually replace methane (natural) gas pipes. However, this covers all pipes, is not focused on safety issues, and we pay for this through our utility bills. Perfectly safe pipes are being replaced, increasing our rates, and ultimately costing us tens of billions of dollars over the next several decades. This is despite the gas company acknowledging that gas use may decline by up to 80% due to electrification. Let’s work together to reign in the utilities!
The new STRIDE bill, submitted to the Maryland legislature, limits utilities to replacement projects that address aging pipes most at risk for failure. It will reduce customer rates by requiring them to use less costly alternatives than replacement where appropriate. And it aligns long-term gas infrastructure plans with the State climate policy to have net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel has been working, on our behalf, to turn this bill into law this year. David Lapp, head of the OPC, will be joining us to explain the details of STRIDE and how this bill will save us money and reduce the climate impact of our methane gas infrastructure. We will then work together to write emails to our legislature. Let’s tell them how important this bill is to their constituents! Join us to make sure our voices are heard.
For questions, contact us at: montgomerycountyTCM@gmail.com
Please share this email with anyone who might be interested!
REGISTER ON ZOOM
