MDE pushes amendments to building energy performance standards to add waivers, timelines and on-site credit

Secretary Serena McElwain told the Environment and Transportation Committee on Feb. 12 that the Department of the Environment seeks a "favorable with amendments" report for House Bill 49, a bill that adjusts how Maryland implements building energy performance standards for larger buildings.

The bill would codify a number of compliance flexibilities MDE has proposed since adopting the first-round BEPS regulations, Secretary Serena McElwain said. "This is now our moment to particularly based on the feedback that we're getting," she told the committee, arguing the changes balance industry concerns with the program's emissions-reduction goals.

Nut graf: Supporters and regulated building owners told the committee they want predictable standards but also relief from high upfront costs and cases where equipment upgrades are technically or economically infeasible. MDE's package would…