Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening issued an executive order on March 13 creating a commission to make recommendations and set criteria for constructing and maintaining energy efficient and environmentally responsible state facilities, setting goals for the purchase of “green power,” and outlining a comprehensive energy conservation strategy. Specifically, the order:
- Sets a new goal for the procurement of electricity, calling for at least 6 percent of consumption in state-owned facilities to be produced from “green energy,” which includes wind power, solar, biomass, and landfill gas generated sources. To promote a diversity of green energy resources, no more than 50 percent of the procurement goal may be from the combustion of municipal solid waste.
- Establishes a Maryland Green Buildings Council to develop a High Efficiency Green Buildings Program, which will guide the design, construction, operations, and maintenance of all new state-built facilities, as well as the renovations of existing state owned and leased buildings.
- Encourages wider adoption of energy-efficient office products, use of renewable energy components (such as solar roofs), and reduction of waste production. Specific goals include reducing energy consumption in state buildings by 10 percent per square foot by 2005, and by 15 percent per square foot by 2010.
All new energy-using products are to carry the “Energy Star” label developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, or must be in the top 25 percent of energy-efficiency when labeled products are unavailable. Beginning on January 1, 2003, all state agencies have been directed to divert or recycle at least 20 percent of the waste they generate.
For more information, visit the Maryland State Web site.
