Gov Hogan Announces UMD’s Role in $65M Environmental Agenda

College Park, Md. — Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has announced $7.5 million in funding to create the Green Energy Institute, a collaboration between the University of Maryland Energy Research Center (UMERC) at the A. James Clark School of Engineering and the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC). The mission of the Green Energy Institute will be to develop and attract private investment and commercialize clean energy innovations and deployment solutions in Maryland.

UMERC was created by UMD to spearhead its energy research across the campus, bringing together nearly 100 faculty and their students to develop game changing energy innovations. The center is a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to advancing the frontiers of energy science and technology, with a special focus on forward-looking approaches for alternative energy generation and storage. MCEC was created by the General Assembly of Maryland to support innovation and technology deployment to achieve renewable energy generation, energy conservation, and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. MCEC uses statute enabled financing authority to leverage private capital investments and provide financing to assist residential, commercial, municipal, and not-for-profit consumers.

“The Green Energy Institute will integrate these naturally synergistic activities and provide a tremendous opportunity for Maryland to transition its university research into high paying energy jobs,” said Eric Wachsman, professor and director of UMERC.

“We are excited about working more closely with the people and resources of UMERC,” said Kathy Magruder, executive director of MCEC. “This collaboration will undoubtedly improve our chances to grow the energy economy in Maryland.”

The announcement was made January 3 as part of Governor Hogan’s proposed 2017 Environmental Package, which includes market-based solutions to protect and preserve Maryland’s environment and natural resources. The proposal requires approval by the Democratic-majority General Assembly.

The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland serves as the catalyst for high-quality research, innovation, and learning, delivering on a promise that all graduates will leave ready to impact the Grand Challenges (energy, environment, security, and human health) of the 21st century. The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, to accelerating entrepreneurship, and to transforming research and learning activities into new innovations that benefit millions. Visit us online at www.eng.umd.edu and follow us on Twitter @ClarkSchool.

Published January 5, 2017