Sec. 8-55. Clean renewable energy technology required.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 8-55 (2026)
Sec. 8-55. Clean renewable energy technology required.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
By December 10, 2014, the County Executive must establish, by Method 1 Regulation, a Clean Energy Plan that includes a specific amount of on-site clean energy that must be installed on any new or existing County facility. This Plan must include:
(1)
a clean energy portfolio target for total clean energy to be installed on County facilities, which must exceed 1 kilowatt per 1,000 square feet of facilities anticipated to be added to the County’s portfolio as documented in the Capital Improvement Program;
(2)
a process for vetting any new facility for potential renewable energy installation during the design phase, including key criteria for evaluating opportunities for solar energy;
(3)
a plan to ensure that appropriate facilities are solar ready, to the extent possible;
(4)
criteria for responsible site selection to balance the County’s renewable energy goals with other environmental objectives;
(5)
a process to coordinate with County agencies on any new facility built using at least 30% County funds; and
(6)
required funding and staffing to achieve the target.
(b)
The County may install a clean energy system in an alternate location in the County to meet this requirement, including:
(1)
a vacant property;
(2)
a land swap or lease agreement; or
(3)
any other property or facility where the County has a contractual, budgetary, or other interest.
(c)
The Executive must recommend to the Council whether funds to support solar energy should be incorporated in a energy specific capital improvement budget, utility Non Departmental Account, or other mechanism to overcome any funding gap to meet the renewable energy target.