Resource Conservation Plans (RCP) for Fiscal Year 2007, January 2006
The RCP supports the Energy Management Capital Projects and UtilityOperating Budgets and is prepared by member agencies of the Interagency Committee on Energy and Utilities Management (ICEUM).  This document provides the Resource Conservation Plans submitted by member agencies of the ICEUM as required under Chapter 18A-9(d)(2) of the Montgomery County Code, in support of the FY 07 Energy Conservation Capital Improvement Projects and Utility Operating Budgets. ICEUM is responsible for coordinating County government energy conservation efforts, promoting energy efficiency, sharing information among agencies, providing technical assistance, and cooperating on the planning and implementation of energy conservation measures.

Comments and Testimony
We have created a webpage containing important public testimony, comments drafted by the Energy and Air Quality Advisory Board, feedback on legislation, and comments by the County Executive. 

Energy Policy Documents
View documents relevant to the County's Energy Policy, including actual statutes, regulations, policy outline, and a review of the policy itself (see below).

Energy Policy Review [pdf]
Chapter 18A of the County Code addresses Energy Policy, and requires that the County Executive report to the County Council each year about the continuing appropriateness of the Energy Policy adopted in 1995.The code also calls for development of an annual energy work program, and establishment of long-range goals to accomplish the policy objectives.

 Appliance Shopping [pdf]
When shopping for new home appliances, there is more to consider than price, color and features. The cost of operating an appliance over time, and the effect the appliance will have on the environment, is largely determined by its energy consumption. Fortunately, the federal government has made it fairly easy to evaluate the energy use of new appliances. The “EnergyGuide” label and the ENERGY STAR label help you to identify the most efficient products.

Electricity Deregulation: PowerShopping
Your guide to understanding electric utility deregulation.  The 1999 Customer Choice Act gives Maryland customers the right to choose their electric power supplier, and also separates the different pieces of the electricity product from each other. For example, when you buy power, you are buying generation, transmission and distribution.

Energy Star Building Manual [pdf]

Energy Star Small Business Guide [pdf]

Energy Star Business Lighting [pdf]

Solar Energy
Solar energy is a clean renewable source of light, heat and electricity. Now it is easier than ever to harness the power of the sun for use in your home. Developments in solar technology have increased the efficiency of solar electric systems and made them more affordable to homeowners and businesses. In addition, state grants and tax incentives make solar energy a wise investment for everyone.

Solar Power [pdf]

EnergyWise Homes
Of all the energy consumed in the United States, about $100 billion worth, approximately one-fifth, is used to heat, cool and light homes and operate home appliances.   Following the tips in this publication, your expenditures each year for household energy can be minimized, sometimes with simple changes or alterations of energy usage practices.

Landscaping to Save Energy in /Winter [pdf]
Homeowners are being squeezed between lower than usual temperatures and abnormally high natural gas prices. In fact, depending on the size of the home, residents are spending between two to three times as much on basic heating costs... But there are some long-term and attractive landscaping solutions which can provide effective winter climate control by deflecting cold winds and drafts, while providing indoor comfort and increasing property values.

Landscaping to Save Energy in Summer [pdf]
By properly positioning trees around our homes and reducing the amount of sunlight striking rooftops, walls, and windows, we can lower cooling costs by up to 25 percent. In fact, this type of natural cooling is much akin to using hats and sunscreen to protect delicate skin from harmful solar radiation.

Light Pollution
Most of us have been bothered from time to time by the glare of improperly installed outdoor lighting blinding us as we drive or shining in our bedrooms at night. More than a minor annoyance, light pollution is a safety issue, a waste of valuable energy resources, an unnecessary expense, and a hazard to nocturnal wildlife.

Resource Conservation Plans - Energy [pdf]
This document provides the Resource Conservation Plans submitted by member agencies of the Interagency Committee on Energy and Utilities Management (ICEUM), as required under Chapter 18A-9(d)(2) of the Montgomery County Code, in support of the FY 06 Energy Conservation Capital Improvement Projects and utility operating budgets. The Interagency Committee on Energy and Utilities Management is responsible for coordinating county government energy conservation efforts, promoting energy efficiency, sharing information, providing technical assistance, and cooperating on the planning and implementation of energy conservation measures.