![[photo, Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/14doe/images/1198-1-653.jpg)
Thereafter, the Energy and Coastal Zone Administration was established by the Department of Natural Resources in 1975, and authorized by law by the General Assembly in 1976 (Chapter 320, Acts of 1976). The Administration reformed in 1979 as the Energy Administration, and in 1982, as the Energy Office. From the Department of Natural Resources the Office transferred to the Department of Housing and Community Development in 1987 (Chapter 311, Acts of 1987). The Office was abolished in 1991, when the Maryland Energy Administration was created as an independent agency (Chapter 468, Acts of 1991).
Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, Maryland, February 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
During energy supply disruptions and emergencies, the Administration participates in security and contingency planning for Maryland's energy supplies and infrastructure. To minimize energy supply shortages resulting from natural disaster or terrorist action, it participates in emergency preparedness training and may set aside petroleum fuels in an emergency.
For power plants, transmission lines, substations, pipelines for natural gas and petroleum, and storage facilities, the Administration works with federal, regional and State authorities to develop protection plans. It is the lead agency for implementing alternative fuel policy (National Energy Policy Act of 1992). It also serves as the State conduit for federal energy programs from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Most of the Administration's funding comes from the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund, which the Administration oversees along with the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program. To promote affordable, reliable and clean energy to fuel Maryland's future prosperity, the Program seeks to decrease energy demand and increase energy supply.
The Director of the Administration is appointed by the Governor (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-2001 through 9-2005).
Work of the Administration is carried on by three divisions: Energy Policy, Planning and Analysis; Energy Programs; and Finance, Budget and Administration.
The Energy Programs Division began as two separate divisions: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which reformed as Clean Energy in 2008. In 2013, the two divisions merged to form the Energy Programs Division.
Under Energy Programs are Agriculture and Low- and Moderate-Income Community Grants; Clean Energy Biomass; Combined Heat and Power (CHP), Next Generation Energy Efficiency, and Net Zero Energy Schools; Commercial and Industrial Energy Programs; Low- to Moderate-Income Programs, and Residential and Commercial Support; Maryland Smart Energy Communities; Solar Programs and Grid Resiliency; State Buildings and Energy Code; Transportation Bio-Heat and Clean Production Tax Credits; and Wind Programs and Game Changers.
COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL & AGRICULTURAL ENERGY PROGRAMS
To commercial, industrial, and agricultural consumers, the Maryland Energy Administration provides financial assistance to undertake energy efficiency upgrades or conduct energy assessments and measures. Through the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program businesses receive loans to identify and install energy conservation improvements. Borrowers use the savings from reduced operating costs to repay the loans.
LOW- & MODERATE-INCOME ENERGY EFFICIENT GRANT PROGRAM
The Program awards grants for energy-efficient projects that generate significant reductions in energy use and then passes on savings to the State's low- and moderate-income residents.
MARYLAND SMART ENERGY COMMUNITIES
SOLAR, NUCLEAR, & STORAGE
STATE BUILDINGS & LOAN PROGRAM, BUILDING CODES
To promote the efficient use of energy, State Buildings and Energy Code works with State and local government agencies. It promotes the use of energy performance contracts, and carefully reviews new construction and renovation plans for government buildings.
State Agency Loan Program. Managed by this office, the Program provides zero-percent interest loans to State agencies for cost-effective energy improvements in State facilites. Under this program, lighting, controls, and heating and cooling equipment have been upgraded in State buildings.
For infrastructure improvements, training, and maintenance, State Government Energy Efficiency arranges private financing to State and local government agencies. The savings realized from energy upgrades are used to service the debt arranged through the Energy Performance Contract agreement.
TRANSPORTATION
The Division is responsible for Accounting; the Fiscal Office; Information Technology Systems; Office Management; and Records Management.
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The Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Grant Program started as Commercial and Industrial Energy Programs and was received its current name in Fiscal Year 2020.
The Low- & Moderate-Income Energy Efficient Grant Program began as Agriculture, Low-/Moderate-Income Community Grants and was received its current name in Fiscal Year 2021.
Maryland Smart Energy Communities promotes energy efficiency in homes. It educates consumers about energy efficient products through the Energy Star Program. It also works with heating and air conditioning contractors to size and install energy-efficient equipment in homes.
Solar, Nuclear, and Storage began as Solar Programs and Grid Resiliency. It promotes the use of renewable solar and geothermal energy technologies as clean sources of new electricity generation. Grants are available to Maryland householders to install renewable systems in their homes.
State Buildings and Loan Program, Building Codes began as State Government Energy Efficiency, reformed as State Government Energy Efficiency and Energy Assurance, and then became State Buildings and Energy Code in 2015. It later adopted its current name.
Transportation originated as Transportation Programs, became Transportation Bio-Fuels and Clean Production Programs in 2011, was renamed Transportation Bio-Heat and Clean Production Tax Credits in 2015, and later assumed its current name. This office works to reduce fuel consumption through programs that promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles and energy efficiency in transportation. With other State and federal agencies and private associations, the office encourages the use of low-emission vehicles and development of alternative fuels.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
Formerly organized as the Finance and Administration Division, this division reformed as the Finance, Budget and Administration Division and then later returned to its original name.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT
Since October 1, 2017, the Maryland Energy Administration has had a program for the continual, economical and efficient management of its records. The Administration's Records Officer develops and oversees the program, and serves as liaison to the Records Management Division of the Department of General Services, and to the State Archives (Chapter 539, Acts of 2017; Code State Government Article, secs. 10-608 through 10-611).
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