Montgomery County, Md. is generating significant buzz among U.S. municipalities aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
After tightening eligibility requirements last September for an over-subscribed green building tax credit, the county council has upped the ante by proposing its mandatory building energy performance standards in legislation introduced May 4, with an initial hearing set for June 15. If approved, the bill requiring existing buildings to meet ambitious energy reduction goals by 2035 would make Montgomery the first U.S. county to enact such standards. A handful of cities and states, including St. Louis, Mo.; Washington, D.C.; New York City, and Washington State, have enacted similar measures.