ANNAPOLIS, MD–-Governor Martin O’Malley announced today that more clean energy jobs are on the horizon for Maryland workers. At a clean energy event today, legislators, green businesses, and environmental groups joined together in support of the Governor’s solar legislation being considered in the General Assembly this year. The bill would accelerate the state’s solar targets to stimulate greater job creation in this growing sector. In addition, through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), Governor O’Malley announced that $8 million in the form of grants are available to promote clean, affordable, and reliable energy for public buildings throughout Maryland.

Project Sunburst, administered by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), is designed to maximize available incentives and limit upfront costs for public buildings that wish to utilize solar energy. MEA is offering rebates of up to $1,000 per kilowatt (kW) of photovoltaic (PV) capacity installed on public buildings. Potential Project Sunburst partners include the Port of Baltimore and the State Police Barracks, and MEA hopes to partner with counties and local school districts to spread the benefits of renewable energy throughout the state.

“Maryland continues to lead by example through clean energy programs and incentives for all sectors, and Project Sunburst is yet another tangible step towards the realization of our Renewable Portfolio Standard goal of 20 percent renewable energy by 2022,” remarked Governor Martin O’Malley. “I encourage all public entities to join with us today to go green and reduce government expenses by adding clean energy systems on our public buildings statewide.”

An estimated 100 new solar jobs will be created over the next year through Project Sunburst. The Governor’s solar acceleration bill would create an estimated 650 additional jobs by 2017.

“Investing in renewable energy is a triple win for Maryland by creating new green collar jobs, reducing long term electricity bills, and protecting the environment,” commented MEA Director Malcolm Woolf. “Through Project Sunburst, we hope to more than double the amount of solar on currently on Maryland’s grid. And the Governor’s solar acceleration bill will further spur the emerging solar industry so that the jobs created using federal stimulus funds will continue for years into the future.”

Expressions of Interest for Project Sunburst are being accepted on a rolling basis through March 26, 2010. Proposed project portfolios will be evaluated based on quality of proposed locations, size, geographic diversity, and ability to successfully execute projects quickly. Interested public entities are encouraged to review the Expression of Interest criteria on the MEA website, www.energy.maryland.gov, or contact program manager Mike Hartley directly at mhartley@energy.state.md.us for all necessary details.

Introduced by Governor Martin O’Malley in October 2008, Smart, Green & Growing was created to foster a smarter, greener, more sustainable future for Maryland families. The Initiative is bringing together state agencies, local governments, businesses and citizens to revitalize communities, improve transit, create green jobs, address climate change, conserve energy, preserve land, and restore the Chesapeake Bay.

www.green.maryland.gov

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