On February 3, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 119 – Energy Performance Contracts – Navigators, Funding, and Requirements with amendments.
This bill seeks to expand and improve access to energy performance contracting by requiring additional coordination with the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC). Counties are seeking amendments to ensure that provisions directing navigators to review and establish energy efficiency measures and clean energy projects to reduce building energy costs are framed as guidance and technical assistance rather than directives.
While MACo supports the availability of navigators through the Maryland Clean Energy Center as a resource, the bill should clearly state that their role is advisory and that counties are not required to engage a navigator in order to proceed with an energy performance contract. Counties must retain full discretion over project scope, procurement, and execution.
Counties across Maryland have long used energy performance
contracts to modernize public facilities, reduce energy consumption, and lower operating costs. Energy performance contracts are a proven, flexible tool that counties rely on to meet local needs, budget constraints, and long-term sustainability goals. Counties appreciate the bill’s intent to provide additional technical and financial resources to public bodies seeking to pursue these projects, particularly through expanded access to grants and loans under the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program. Optional expertise and assistance in identifying and applying for state, federal, and utility funding could be beneficial for counties that lack internal capacity to pursue complex energy projects.
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