资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

The "Maryland Leads by Example" executive order directs the Maryland Department of General Services and the Maryland Energy Administration to develop and manage an energy savings initiative in state-owned buildings.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on June 25 signed the "Maryland Leads by Example" executive order. It directs the Maryland Department of General Services and the Maryland Energy Administration to develop and manage an energy savings initiative in state-owned buildings. "Our administration is committed to ensuring that our state-owned buildings are as energy efficient as possible," Hogan said. "This initiative seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while saving taxpayer dollars."

The goal of the executive order is to reduce energy consumption in state-owned buildings by 10 percent by 2029. To accomplish this goal, DGS has been directed to audit annually the state-owned buildings that have been determined to be the least energy efficient. The audits are to identify low-cost measures for increasing energy efficiency and savings while reducing future costs and expenses.

"The Maryland Department of General Services is proud to be part of this important initiative and looks forward to working with MEA to determine opportunities for increased energy savings," said DGS Secretary Ellington E. Churchill, Jr. "Together, our agencies will use best practices to identify the areas where we can save both energy and money."

"The state of Maryland spends $210 million annually on utilities for state buildings," said MEA Director Mary Beth Tung. "Addressing energy efficiency to conserve costs makes sense fiscally for the state and the environment."

Both agencies are to submit a report each year to the governor on their progress toward achieving the 10 percent goal.