Green Homes Sustainability Initiative Gets E.P.A. Boost!

FREDERICK, Md. - Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced the launch of a new initiative to assist residents who want to lower home energy costs and live more sustainably. The new Green Homes Program, managed by the Division of Energy and Environment, is open to all. The goal of the program is to support communities that have been historically underserved. The project is funded by a nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program.

"We know some groups of people are more vulnerable to the dangers climate change brings," County Executive Fitzwater said. "This grant will allow us to connect with those in our community who are most exposed to climate risks. I am excited about the lasting change we can create together, so everyone in our community can thrive!"

The Green Homes Program has three main components:

• The Green Compass program provides Community Navigators to assist residents in finding, understanding, and benefitting from local, state, and federal programs and incentives that can help improve their home environment, lower energy costs, and live sustainably.
• The Green Homes Challenge is a guide to sustainable living that provides participants with incentives and defined actions to support saving energy, making environmentally friendly choices, and using renewable energy.
• The goal of our Green Partnerships is to ensure that all Frederick County residents can benefit from sustainable living. By working with local organizations and community stakeholders, we make "going green" more possible for underserved and overburdened communities.

Community partners include Mobilize Frederick, Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, and the Asian American Center of Frederick. These organizations will help to build resilience, educate about air quality and climate, and engage community members.

Frederick County was one of 88 Environmental Justice grants awarded nationally, and one of only four awarded in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia region. To learn more about the initiatives of the Division of Energy and Environment, please viait www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/GreenHomes or join them on Facebook and Instagram at @SustainableFCMD.

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