St. John Properties has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the 100th building in its national portfolio. The most recent building to achieve this certification at the Gold level is 5061 Howerton Way, a single-story building in Melford Town Center, in Bowie, which comprises 34,560 square […]
Environment
Posted inEnvironment
Laurel designated Sustainable City
The state of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has again designated the City of Laurel a Sustainable City. Laurel has successfully retained its recognition since 2011. The designation will enable the city to obtain grant funding for the revitalization of the former Quill Lot at 389 Main Street and create a green destination […]
Posted inEnvironment
Ball cuts ribbon on Ellicott City storm water project
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball cut the ribbon on the largest public works project in Ellicott City to date, which is designed to prevent storm water from reaching Historic Ellicott City during major weather events. The H-7 pond, constructed on State Highway Administration land in a clover-leaf interchange at the intersection of Route 29 and […]
Posted inEnvironment
Laurel: Saving residents money on flood insurance
Residents of Laurel now have lower flood insurance premiums because of the community’s initiatives to implement better floodplain management measures encouraged by the National Flood Insurance Program. The Federal Emergency Management Agency created the voluntary Community Rating System program to recognize local efforts to reduce flood risk and to reward communities, their residents and businesses […]
Posted inEnvironment
Maryland exceeds energy efficiency targets
The state of Maryland has reached and exceeded its goals for reducing energy use in state-owned facilities years ahead of schedule. As of October 2022, Maryland state government has surpassed the 10 percent savings goal and reduced its energy use in state-owned facilities by more than 12 percent above the 2018 baseline. The American Council […]
Posted inHealth
Study: Airport flight patterns influence health care costs
Flight paths at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport have negative health effects that will, on average, cost Marylanders in excess of $40 million per year during the next 30 years, according to a new study from Dr. Zafar Zafari and Jeong-eun Park at the University of Maryland’s School of Pharmacy. The report, titled “Projecting the Health […]
Posted inEnvironment
Hogan launches program to support urban agriculture
Gov. Larry Hogan announced the launch of a Small Acreage Cover Crop Program to support small farm producers and urban agriculture. The pilot program is operated by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and aimed at helping historically underserved farmers and communities build healthy soils, increase yields, sequester carbon and improve local water quality. Financial assistance […]
Posted inEnvironment
MEA launches grant program
The Maryland Energy Administration has announced the fiscal 2023 Low-to-Moderate Income Energy Efficiency Grant Program. Available to nonprofit organizations and local governments on a competitive basis, the program provides cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades to homes and buildings that serve Maryland’s low-and-moderate-income residents. This program also provides more efficient homes and buildings that will lower utility […]
Posted inEnvironment
MEA announces low-income solar grant program
The Maryland Energy Administration has announced that applications are now being accepted for the fiscal 2023 Low Income Solar Grant Program. Through the program, MEA will support the design and installation of solar energy systems for a limited number of low-income Maryland households that have received an energy audit and significant energy efficiency upgrades during […]
Posted inEnvironment
Howard first county in nation to receive LEED Platinum certification in program
Howard County has been designated as a LEED Platinum community ― the highest designation possible ― under the United States Green Building Council’s LEED for Cities and Communities certification program. By undergoing a LEED for Cities and Communities version 4.1 review, Howard County has demonstrated leadership and accountability by measuring their progress in important criteria. […]