On February 27, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 807 – Environment – Local Building Energy Performance Standards – Authorization. 

This bill allows counties to adopt and enforce local building energy performance standards that are at least as stringent as those adopted by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

With more tools to promote energy efficiency and responsible energy consumption, counties have the ability to be partners in implementing Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) as required under the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022.

From MACo Testimony: 

Counties appreciate the State’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution as well as promoting responsible energy use tracking and consumption. The ability to locally establish and enforce certain standards will allow counties to join in the State’s effort to move progress along faster and only where they see fit. Additionally, the potential for counties to exercise new authority over standards and fees locally, appreciates that the needs and interests of local governments vary greatly.

More on MACo’s Advocacy:

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2025 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2025 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog