The economic landscape for solar development will change dramatically in the next few years. This panel will discuss the impact of the end of the Federal Investment Tax Credit, the long-term outlook for electricity prices in the Mid-Atlantic, and existing programs in Maryland to help residents, businesses, nonprofits, and the public sector invest in renewable energy.

Speakers: 

• Billy Grayson, Executive Director, ICF Climate Center
• Eddie Lukemire, Director of Environment, Secretary's Office, Maryland Department of Transportation
• Himali Parmar, Vice President, ICF
• Trevor Laughlin, Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Standard Solar
• Thomas Bartholomew, Associate Director, Clean Energy Division, Washington DC Department of Energy and Environment

This session is designed to help you stay on track with Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) compliance. We’ll remind you of the requirements and deadlines, find your BEPS targets, walk through strategies to improve data quality, and equip you with actionable next steps. Whether you're managing one building or many, this session will equip you with the tools and insights to support BEPS success. Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops so they can follow along and review their building data in real time as we walk through County BEPS tools together.

Speakers:

• Emily Curley, Building Performance Programs Manager, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
• Lewis Morgante, Senior Engineer, Building Performance, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
• Sheena Oliver, Multifamily Energy Programs Manager, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
• Yin Wu, Building Data Analytics Manager, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
• Chris Weatherly, Energy Program Manager, Montgomery County Department of General Services

For building owners starting to get their heads around MC BEPS, questions like "where do I start", "how do I start", "how do I prioritize", and "what do I need to have done by when" are frequently the first questions that come up, even before projects start! This session seeks to help building owners in this space, exploring the sorts of early-stage questions that frequently come up when it comes to developing and implementing a plan.

Speakers:

• Chris Pendley, Director of Sustainability Policy and Strategy, AOBA
•  Luke Lanciano, Director of Sustainability, Tower Companies
•  Mike Barboza, Director of Business Intelligence and Sustainability, Borger

New energy codes bring new requirements, and this may include testing and commissioning hidden in plain sight.  ASHRAE 90.1-2022 for Montgomery County and 2021 IECC for Maryland both pack some updates that all developers and design teams should know about. Your commercial building envelopes need to comply with thermal bridging requirements and air barrier requirements, possibly including a whole building blower door test! Mechanical systems and commissioning include new mandatory energy management control systems, a system performance pathway, and more stringent lighting requirements.

Get an overview of the big items you should know about to align with these changes that some project teams have missed in recently designed projects.

Speakers:

• Joe Andracchio, Principal Mechanical Engineer, Steven Winter Associates
•  Bob Hayes, Senior Building Systems Engineer, Steven Winter Associates

Roughly two-thirds of DC’s housing stock comprises multifamily units; thus, the District’s electrification programs must equally target the existing stock of multifamily residential buildings. DC has dedicated funding to several programs to help affordable housing buildings transition from gas-based systems to energy-efficient electric systems. This presentation features case studies of multifamily building electrification retrofits completed in DC, providing an overview of the actual costs incurred, project design and engineering steps taken, and necessary permitting and regulatory compliance. A mix of building types — small, midsize, and large — are represented to convey the range of challenges and lessons learned.

Speakers:

• Marlene Azer, Program Manager 2, DC Sustainable Energy Utility
• Ryan Gavin, Technical Analyst, DC Department of Energy and Environment
• Jennifer Johnston, Program Analyst, DC Department of Energy and Environment

Building systems and building goals have evolved dramatically over time. The role of the Building Engineer has remained relatively constant - to maintain the building and ensure its systems are functional and that tenants are comfortable. The challenge is that because the Building Engineer is responsible for operating the building, they also hold the keys to the energy bills; however, they are rarely given the authority, motivation, or training to operate systems at peak energy efficiency. This session discusses how evolving the culture and specifics of the Building Engineer role and maintenance program is key to achieving and sustaining improved energy and operational savings.

Speakers:

• Julie Wolfington, Energy and Sustainability Leader, Boland
• Luke Lanciano, CEM, fitwel Ambassador, LEED® AP O+M, Director of Sustainability, Tower Companies
• Adam Landsman, CEM, President and CEO, Landsman Building Performance

In a panel discussion, Touchstone IQ, Harvey Properties, and Avalon Bay will discuss the collaborative efforts needed to achieve compliance in Montgomery County, Maryland, and nationwide. Through a compliance case study of Harvey Properties & Avalon Bay, participants will hear real success stories in achieving BPS targets & compliance. Methods such as operational measures, building retrofitting & electrification, and capital investment in green technology will be discussed. Panelists will share their experience with planning and executing measures aligned with their compliance timeline across jurisdictions like MoGo, Maryland, Boston, and Denver. Building owners will know about proactive compliance and associated savings.

Speakers:

• Zack Hart, Director, Energy & Sustainability Programs, Touchstone IQ
• Ben Levine, Director of Business Development, Touchstone IQ
• Maria Fano, Property Manager, Harvey Properties
• Emily Mclachlan, Vice President of Sustainability, Federal Realty Investment Trust

MCPS is working to achieve objectives of the County's Climate Action Plan. Through partnerships with NORESCO, the MC Green Bank, and others, MCPS has made great strides in improving the environment for student learning and facility modernization.

Speakers:

• Cherise Seals, Regional Sales Manager, NORESCO, LLC
• Lynne Zarate, Director, Division of Sustainability and Compliance, Montgomery County Public Schools 

As communities pursue ambitious climate and resiliency goals, thermal energy networks (district energy systems) are emerging as an essential low-carbon option. This session explores the spectrum of network types - from high-temperature steam and hot water to innovative low-temperature ambient loops - and their roles in delivering efficient, resilient, and flexible energy. It highlights how both ambient systems and central plant configurations can incorporate waste heat recovery and renewable sources to maximize energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The session will also cover the still available federal Investment Tax Credit and emerging business models that support scalable deployment of these systems.

Speakers:

• Scott Emery, Engineering Manager, FVB Energy Inc.
• Ben Burgoyne, PE, Senior Mechanical Engineer, FVB Energy

As climate impacts intensify, innovative financial and policy tools are needed to increase the resilience of the building stock. Montgomery County Green Bank will share its experience pioneering a resilience finance fund for multi-family buildings. Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County will present its building resilience policy work. BPS presents an opportunity to address not only energy efficiency but also resilience, particularly in smaller buildings located in the most vulnerable communities. This session explores finance and BPS design approaches that integrate resilience where it is most needed, combining the goals of reducing energy use and strengthening building systems to withstand climate risks.

Speakers:

• Veronique Bugnion, Chief Executive Officer, ClearlyEnergy
• Laura Mondragon, Director for Climate Resilience, Montgomery County Green Bank
• Gabe Cohee, Director of Programs, Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County

This session will cover a case study of an energy-efficiency and electrification project at a lab and office facility that had changed ownership, occupancy, and operations. The case study will show how a small electrification scope, coupled with controls improvements, unlocked much larger efficiency gains throughout the system and facility. The project consisted of a steam-to-hot water conversion, controls enhancements, boiler replacement, chiller replacement, and ventilation optimization. The project also qualified for substantial incentives through EmPOWER Maryland, including being the first to receive incentives for electrification via the Pepco Custom Program.

Speakers:

• Chris Fang Brehm, Senior Manager, ICF/Pepco
• Chet Knaup, President, Spectrum Energy