Harford County Maryland - Sustainability Office

Protect and preserve the County's environment through efficient use and reuse of its resources.

David R. Craig's Administration Environmental Stewardship and Energy Initiatives

Strengthen the Solar and Geothermal Tax Credit
The Solar and Geothermal Tax credit originated in 1980 as a Solar Energy Tax Credit and was revised in 2007 to include solar and geothermal energy tax credits. Click here to download the Harford County Solar/Geothermal Tax Credit application form. Bill no. 09-45 increased the total funding for the tax credit from $150,000 to $250,000 beginning July 1, 2010.
Explore the utilization of wind power in Harford County
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) conducted a state-wide wind power survey identifying areas of significant wind speeds where wind power could be utilized as a renewable energy source. Although Harford County has limited areas where wind power could be utilized on a large scale, several residents are pursuing small-scale applications. These residents are working with MEA through a state-wind anemometer loan program to obtain an anemometer in order to quantify the wind resources at a specific location. The data collected will assist in determining the appropriateness of wind power as a power source at that location. Additionally, in 2009 the Harford County Zoning Code was amended to include criterion for wind energy power systems.
Purchase Hybrid Vehicles
The first hybrid Harford County Government vehicle was purchased in 2005, and today, the Harford County Government vehicle fleet has 20 hybrid vehicles.
Establish an Energy Management Steering Committee
The Energy Management Steering Committee, otherwise known as the Green Team, was established in 2008 to discuss energy efficiency within County Government as well as to collaborate on ways to reduce the County's environmental footprint.

GREEN News

The Spring/Summer 2011 edition of the Enviro News is now available. Click here to read the latest addition.

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources's Sustainable Maryland program profiled the green efforts of Harford County Government as the 'Sustainable Network Feature'. To check out the article to learn more about our efforts, click here.

October is Energy Awareness Month. The theme is 'Powering America; We're on Target'. Take this time to visit DOE's webpage to learn about Energy Awareness Month as well as way you can do to incorporate energy conservation into your day.

In September, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Energy Blog published an article showcasing the new 'cool roof' installed at Ring Factory Elementary School utilizing Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding. Energy Empowers is a blog capturing the hearts and the minds of the people buidling America's clean energy economy. To learn more about Energy Empowers and to read Harford County's story, click HERE.

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PRESS RELEASES:

Dec 19, 2011 - Harford County Announces Christmas Tree Recycling Availability

Dec 9, 2011 - Poster Contest Helps Harford County Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink

Oct 4, 2011 - Autumn Is For Planting

Sep 14, 2011 - Harford County to Observe Business Appreciation Week

Sep 14, 2011 - Abingdon Library Rain Garden Workshop Scheduled

Aug 27, 2011 - Hydropower and Energy Efficiency Receive Top Honors as Harford County’s 1st Green Star of the Year

Aug 22, 2011 - County Uses Sustainabiity Site Design at the Sheriff's Office Southern Precinct

Jul 1, 2011 - Two Harford County Programs Receive National Achievement Awards

May 27, 2011 - Harford County Shares the Road with Cyclists on Bike to Work Day

May 11, 2011 - Bike to Work Day Scheduled for May 20