Maryland Secretary of the Environment Serena McIlwain to Address 2024 Montgomery County Energy Summit on Tuesday, April 16

Montgomery County has announced that Maryland Secretary of the Environment Serena McIlwain will give the keynote address at the upcomming 2024 Montgomery County Energy Summit. The event takes place on Tuesday, April 16 at the Silver Spring Civic Building (1 Veterans Plaza) in Downtown Silver Spring.

Per the news release: The Montgomery County Energy Summit, hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), will share the latest information on energy benchmarking, building energy performance standards and emerging building codes through hands-on learning experiences and case studies from various commercial and multifamily buildings.

Secretary McIlwain will emphasize Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan and underscore the crucial partnership between the business community and government in achieving both the state of Maryland’s and Montgomery County’s climate objectives. Secretary McIlwain will address the commercial building community highlighting efforts to reduce the cost of energy efficiency and electrification projects in commercial, multifamily, institutional and other types of buildings. She also will talk about creating jobs, driving innovation and promoting healthier communities.

“Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction plan requires our state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2031 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045,” said Secretary McIlwain. “This is an all-hands-on-deck moment that requires all of us–government and the business community–to work together to reach our environmental goals. I am excited to attend the Montgomery County Energy Summit to share insights from the State and engage in constructive dialogue on how we can collaborate to make environmental sustainability in Maryland a model for the nation.”

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said Secretary McIlwain will be part of an outstanding lineup of speakers at the summit.

“The Energy Summit provides the opportunity to learn from each other, so we can develop best-in-class strategies and set the standard for local counties nationwide. I am thankful to all our speakers and attendees for prioritizing this important event,” said County Executive Elrich. “I would like to express my gratitude to Secretary McIlwain for accepting our invitation to the Montgomery County Energy Summit, and I look forward to hearing her perspectives on the role of government and business partnerships in achieving our ambitious climate goals.”

The two-day summit is scheduled for Monday, April 15, and Tuesday, April 16. Secretary McIlwain will speak during the Day 2 Opening Plenary, alongside County Executive Elrich, DEP Director Jon Monger and County Climate Change Officer Sarah Kogel-Smucker. Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson, Department of Permitting Services Director Rabbiah Sabbakhan and Director Monger will address attendees on Day 1.

“I am looking forward to taking part in this year’s Energy Summit as the Montgomery County Council has played a pivotal role in enacting policy to help us meet our County’s climate targets,” said Council President Friedson. “In 2022, we passed the Montgomery County Green Buildings Now Act to provide historic levels of funding to the Montgomery County Green Bank, which have been leveraged to advance energy efficient and green retrofit projects throughout our County’s building sector and particularly in our Equity Emphasis Areas. Additionally, the Council has supported the building sector by enacting a green building tax credit program for new and existing buildings as well as other financial incentives to help offset the costs of converting from fossil-fuel-powered equipment to electric. I was proud to sponsor these initiatives and look forward to continuing to work alongside colleagues toward a greener future for our community.”

The Energy Summit showcases Innovation Alley, where exhibitors present solutions related to building energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, building decarbonization, healthy building practices and zero-emission vehicles.

WorkSource Montgomery’s (WSM) Mobile Job Center will be on-site both days to connect employers and job seekers. WSM provides local job seekers with comprehensive employment and training services to promote economic sufficiency while assisting employers to meet the talent needs of today and tomorrow.

Registration for the Energy Summit is open until April 9 and costs $75 ($40 for a single day).  Registration includes access to keynote speakers, educational sessions, hands-on demonstrations, panel discussions and the opportunity for building owners to receive technical support for new requirements. Contact [email protected] for a limited number of scholarships to the Energy Summit if cost is an issue.

The full schedule is available at MCEnergySummit.org. Email questions to [email protected].