New Standards for Maryland Buildings

State Action to Achieve Greenhouse Gas Reductions

In 2022, Maryland passed the Climate Solutions Now Act, in response to the climate crisis with the aim of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation set a goal of cutting statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2031 (compared to 2006 levels) and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.

To accomplish this, key provisions of the Act require energy-efficiency and electrification requirements for buildings. Along with that, the law strengthens environmental reporting requirements and accountability measures to track progress toward climate goals. To provide a framework for implementing the Climate Soultions Now requirements, the Maryland Department of the Environment developed Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). 

While these state-mandated standards encourage building owners in Maryland to pursue energy savings and reduce carbon emissions to achieve a positive environmental impact, BEPS can help ensure economic sustainability for businesses as well.

Frederick County Facilities Lead the Way

In 2023, Frederick County Government’s (FCG) Climate and Energy Action Plan for Internal Operations documented that facility energy use accounts for about half of all County’s operational emissions. By auditing each building’s energy use and proactively implementing BEPS tactics, county staff have been making big strides to reduce energy use and emissions. Along the way, these efforts have been shown to provide significant long-term cost savings as well- a win for the environment and County taxpayers too!

Staff from the Division of Energy and Environment leveraged grant funding to pay for lighting upgrades that save FCG operations 588,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually and helped earn $212,146 in energy efficiency rebates in 2024. This decreases our costs, reduces demand on the electric grid, prevents about 58 tons of coal combustion…and helps keep County operations in compliance with the State’s BEPS program.

Who Do BEPS Rules Affect and How?

Right now, the State’s standards only apply to buildings with greater than 35,00 square feet of space, with certain types of facilities, such as historic properties or schools, exempted. Over time, more energy conservation initiatives are expected to be passed by the legislature due to increasing concerns about regional energy consumption and the impacts of the climate crisis. The BEPS program is still evolving, and with new regulations expected, it’s crucial to stay informed on how these programs might impact your business, home, or community in coming years.

As of right now, if you own or manage a large facility, you are required to begin tracking and reporting your building’s energy consumption to MDE.  Instructions, tools, and support resources for accomplishing this can be found on the State’s BEPS website.