Advocates urge Maryland to build coordinating capacity and match funds to capture IRA and BIL grants

Marissa Olszewski, environmental policy manager at Maryland League of Conservation Voters, told the subcommittee that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act together create an unprecedented pool of federal funding for electrifying transportation and buildings, manufacturing transitions, pollution reduction and investments targeted to low‑ and moderate‑income (LMI) communities.

“Success in accessing these grants is going to require well‑executed initiative, planning, and coordination from our Maryland state leaders,” Olszewski said, noting many competitive IRA programs require state matching funds and that states that established dedicated funding and structures have had more success.

Olszewski gave examples from other states: Colorado’s SB 21‑260 requiring transportation emissions accounting; Maine’s LD 1682 directing utilities commissions to consider climate and equity; Minnesota and New York initiatives that created dedicated matching and cap‑and‑invest funding to increase competitiveness for federal grants. She argued Maryland should consider similar policy and funding mechanisms to align state priorities with federal opportunities.

Kathy McGruder, executive at the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), described MCEC’s role as a statewide green bank and SEFI and outlined its recent activity: MCEC said it has submitted substantial grant applications across federal programs, received an FY24 $15 million FHWA award to deploy charging infrastructure, and manages programs to leverage public dollars to attract private capital. McGruder said the Center’s analyses show roughly $9.5 billion in transactional investment will be needed to meet a 60% GHG reduction goal and estimated a $7.4 billion shortfall over seven years that will require private‑sector leverage and strategic state investment.

Speakers repeatedly emphasized capacity: McGruder said hiring a grant manager and program administrators made a material difference in pursuing funds and that a coordinating entity with experienced grant writers would help local communities access federal opportunities. Committee members asked for written examples and requested agencies provide more specific implementation plans during the budget process.

No formal directives were decided during the briefing, but senators signaled they would pursue follow‑up, request written materials, and consider budget actions that would enable matching funds and staffing to increase Maryland’s competitiveness for federal grants.