Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Homes in Frederick to Receive Clean Energy Funding

1 of 10 Innovative Projects Selected in Maryland

Rockville, MD, March 15 – Governor Martin O’Malley announced today that $70,000 will become available to help leverage construction of affordable net-zero energy homes in the community of North Pointe in the City of Frederick. The development is one of 10 clean energy projects across the state selected by the Maryland Clean Energy Center to receive funding assistance supplied by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Maryland Energy Administration.

“These award recipients truly represent an investment in the talents and skills of our people,” said Governor O’Malley. “I’d like to congratulate them for their hard work and recognize the Maryland Clean Energy Center for demonstrating a commitment to building our shared energy future. Together, we can continue to make Maryland a leader in clean energy by establishing vital partnerships, providing resources and incentives for our families and workforce, creating jobs and fueling innovation.”

The North Pointe community is a unique mixed-income infill neighborhood being developed in Frederick as a partnership between the City of Frederick’s housing authority and Annapolis-based Nexus EnergyHomes, with support from county, state and federal agencies. The $70,000 award will be used to satisfy minimum equity requirements and leverage additional private sector investment in building new, affordable net-zero energy homes. The investment is also expected to provide a return to the Maryland Clean Energy Center that can be used for future projects.

The affordable net-zero energy homes built by Nexus EnergyHomes utilize solar and geothermal power generation, smart operating systems and energy efficient materials to generate as much or more energy than the home consumes, creating a “net-zero” demand on local energy supplies. The project is also committed to incorporating green building techniques and will showcase the creation of green jobs and the use of cutting-edge energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

Among the other clean energy innovation projects selected for funding in Maryland are installation of an energy efficient wind, solar and LED lighting “Eco Pole” on the roof and associated educational display in the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore; a 20-kilowatt wind energy system to launch a Renewable Energy Education Center at the Crain Memorial Maryland State Welcome Center in Charles County; and a solar photovoltaic electric system and touch-screen display at the Clean Energy Technology Incubator at the University of Maryland – Baltimore County.

Awards were also granted to clean energy demonstration projects in public facilities across the state, including a geothermal energy system to increase heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) efficiency at the Fair Hill Nature Center in Cecil County; upgraded HVAC systems and lighting in the Riverdale Park Town Hall in Prince George’s County; retrofitting Easton traffic signals with light-emitting diodes (LED) bulbs in Talbot County; a slip-by-slip metering system for the solar energy project at Crisfield’s Somers Cove public marina in Somerset County; replacement of 92 old lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LED bulbs in the Hagerstown public parking garage in Washington County; and a hydroelectric power plant for the Frostburg public water system in Allegany County. Award funding for all projects is subject to timely fulfillment of all approvals and grant requirements.

The board of the Maryland Clean Energy Center approved 10 awards that demonstrate the incredible range of clean energy solutions and innovations that are occurring in Maryland,” noted the Center’s Executive Director I. Katherine Magruder. With just under half a million dollars in federal funding, we are helping counties and municipalities across the state implement effective, efficient clean energy solutions that show the way to a cleaner, greener future.”

The mission of the Maryland Clean Energy Center is promote clean energy economic development and jobs by educating consumers, assisting businesses and advising policymakers. More information is available at http://MDCleanEnergy.org.

Contacts: Jim Pierobon at jpierobon@mdcleanenergy.org, 301-738-6286.
Or Lauren Miller at Sandy Hillman Communications, 410-616-8944.

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