Montgomery County made a big leap towards greener living with the County Council's unanimous vote to pass strict new building energy performance standards. The decision aligns with the county's eco-forward vision, as outlined in Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich's Climate Action Plan. With the passage of Executive Regulation 17-23AM, Montgomery County is setting the bar high for energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction.
The county isn’t playing small, targeting commercial and multifamily buildings 25,000 square feet or larger, which amounts to a hefty 250 million square feet. These buildings are now bound by site-specific energy use intensity (EUI) performance standards, as legislated by the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). And it’s not just about hitting the mark – there are perks, like credits for onsite renewable energy and a structured system for Building Performance Improvement Plans. The program, which applies to most buildings, pairs stringent requirements with a supportive framework for compliance.
In a statement released by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), DEP Director Jon Monger shared, "This is a historic step forward in Montgomery County’s commitment to sustainability and an important time for environmental progress in Montgomery County.” A key feature of this initiative is its collaborative spirit. The passing of these regulations culminates after the Transportation and Environment Committee's seven discussion sessions and the DEP’s attentive adjustment of regulations based on a compilation of stakeholder input.
The new regulations, transmitted by the County Executive on Jan. 22, have been molded by the collective perspectives of numerous community members, providing a pathway to reduced greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining flexibility for building owners. When talking about the collective effort, Jon Monger stated, as per the Montgomery County Government, “Their thoughtful and intentional feedback translates into a robust and innovative program that will drive significant emissions reductions while also providing flexibility for property owners and residents." The upcoming Montgomery County Energy Summit on April 8 and 9 is expected to elaborate further on the new standards and provide opportunities for networking and sharing strategies amongst those most affected.
For those looking to get ahead of the curve on the new BEPS regulations, relevant information, resources, and details can be found by visiting the DEP’s Building Energy Performance Standards website.
