MOCO Energy Law Will Set Standards For Certain Building Owners

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Owners of commercial and multi-family buildings, along with county-owned buildings, will now be required to reach a set of minimum standards for energy performance in Montgomery County.

County Executive Marc Elrich signed the Building Energy Performance Standards law on Monday, which will set up long-term standards for those buildings and require less energy usage, the county said.

"The bill, which was passed unanimously by the County Council on April 19, will expand the County’s benchmarking requirements by setting minimum energy performance standards for existing buildings," the county said in a news release. "This will be one of the most effective ways to reduce energy demand and carbon pollution from the built environment as the County tackles its ambitious climate change goals."

This legislation builds on another energy law signed in 2014 for commercial and county-owned buildings with more than 50,000 square feet.

The county said that building energy is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Montgomery County.

“This new law will lead to energy improvements for multifamily residential and commercial buildings that will save money and create new local jobs,” said Elrich. “My administration is proud to have collaborated with the commercial and multifamily building sector in developing this legislation. Climate change is something we must address with a sense of urgency, and with this new law, our County is taking a big, bold step forward.”