HoCo Joins Biden-Harris Administration’s National Building Performance Standards Coalition

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced that the county will be joining the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Building Performance Standards Coalition.

The National Building Performance Standards Coalition is a nationwide group of state and local governments that have committed to design and implement building performance programs. President Biden launched the program in 2022.

"We must and we will lead the way in becoming more energy independent. Now is our time, working with Governor Wes Moore and his administration, to find creative climate solutions to ensure the health and safety of our county, state, nation and planet for future generations to come. Howard County is thrilled to join the National Building Performance Standards Coalition and the incredible group of thoughtful leaders working to reduce our collective carbon footprint," stated Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Last month, Ball announced HoCo Climate Forward, the county’s first climate plan since 2015. The HoCo Climate Forward plan also establishes the county’s first climate subcabinet, made up of leaders from all county departments to collaborate in ensuring climate action and equity are both incorporated into all county planning and operations.

Since 2018, more than 65,000 trees have been planted at schools and homes, HOA properties, along streams and within the county's Green Infrastructure Network. Howard County also operates the greenest public safety fleet in the state of Maryland, officials noted.

In 2020, Howard County entered into the largest and most innovative solar power purchase agreement in Maryland. When complete, the combined projects will generate enough power to provide more than 50 percent of the county government’s electricity usage and a greenhouse gas emissions equivalent of planting more than 300,000 trees.

Howard County’s transformational climate policies have been nationally recognized for its leadership on environmental issues. In 2022, Howard County became the first county in the nation to earn LEED Platinum Certification under the current version by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system.

Maryland is one of only three states with statewide building performance standards, leaders pointed out. One of them includes requiring commercial and multifamily buildings that are 35,000 square feet and larger to reduce direct emissions by 20 percent by 2030 and reach net zero direct emissions by 2040.

"Maryland has one of the most ambitious emissions goals in any state with a commitment to reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2031 and reaching net zero statewide emissions by 2045," Ball noted.