Calvert County accepts $1.076 million state energy grant to fund renewables and efficiency projects

Calvert County commissioners approved acceptance of a $1,076,242 Local Government Energy Modernization grant from the Maryland Energy Administration on June 16 and authorized the County Administrator to sign the agreement.

Deputy Director Tom Jones told the board the grant will be used across a portfolio of projects intended to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions: $904,735 for renewable-energy projects and $171,507 for energy-efficiency measures. Projects described by staff included a feasibility study for rooftop solar installations, replacement of an aging 88-ton courthouse cooling tower, and pilot installation of solar-powered light poles at select county facilities and public-rights-of-way.

Jones said allocations will be finalized after the county’s FY 2027 budget is adopted on July 1 and that staff will return in July for a public hearing on related budget adjustments and project specifications. The board approved executing the grant agreement so the county could secure the award before the fiscal year end.

The action does not itself appropriate funds to specific projects; those adjustments will be presented to the board in a subsequent public session once project specifications and allocations are finalized.