A new partnership between Howard County government and Columbia Association (CA) seeks to strengthen local action on climate and energy independence initiatives. County Executive Calvin Ball and CA President and CEO Shawn MacInnes held a signing ceremony on July 15 to endorse a memorandum of understanding that elevates the County’s 2023 Climate Forward plan from a “whole-of-government” effort to a “whole-of-community” approach. 

The MOU provides a framework for collaboration on the eight climate change mitigation and resilience areas identified by Climate Forward, while also supporting community engagement, public education, and data sharing in these areas. 

Act Now on EVs, Solar, Home Energy Upgrades Before Federal Incentives Expire 

Federal incentives for electric vehicles, solar, and home energy efficiency upgrades are set to expire in 2025, following the passage of the federal budget, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed on July 4.  

Here’s what you need to know if you are considering purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), solar panels, or upgrading your home’s energy efficiency. 

First, electric vehicle shoppers have until September 30 to take advantage of the federal tax credits of $7,500 for qualifying new EVs or $4,000 for qualified used EVs. Inside EVs, an industry news publication, has this explainer on the EV tax credit and how to take advantage of it before September 30. For those just starting EV shopping or research, Plugin America has an Electric Vehicle Guide that provides an easy reference on models, pricing, and vehicle range. If you are considering an EV, you can get first-hand advice from Howard County EV drivers at the July 23 "Ask an EV Driver" webinar. Register here and find more details below in the Events section.

Residents considering rooftop solar should plan to contract with an installer and pay for their systems by year end, since the "Section 25D" Residential Clean Energy Credit was repealed as well. The 30 percent credit applies to the cost of solar panels as well as solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, and battery storage technology. Howard County is partnering with Solar United Neighbors for another round of the group buying program Switch Together, which offers residents a no-hassle, market rate discounted quote on a rooftop solar installation. Residents are encouraged to register as soon as possible to receive a customized offer. 

Residents have until December 31 to take advantage of the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C), which provides a 30 percent credit on qualified expenses such as building envelope improvements like insulation and air sealing, efficient HVAC upgrades like heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters. Get up to $2,000 back on the installation of heat pump or heat pump water heater until the end of the year, or up to $1,200 on weatherization. 

As always, consult a tax advisor to determine your eligibility for these and other tax credits or incentives.

New Partnership Offers Savings on HVAC Upgrades

With the clock ticking on federal incentives, there’s no better time to evaluate the remaining lifespan of your home heating and cooling system (also known as HVAC). Now there is a new group buying program, Howard County’s Switch Together Heat Pump Co-op, to help residents upgrade to more efficient heat pump systems installed by vetted contractors and to unlock savings through program discounts, rebates, tax credits, and financing options. 

Especially beneficial for homeowners switching from oil or propane systems, the co-op can save an average of $1,000 per year and offer up to $15,000 in utility rebates. Not on oil or propane? Homeowners upgrading from electric or natural gas systems to high-efficiency heat pumps may still qualify for utility rebates and federal tax credits. 

Register online with Switch Together by answering a few questions about your current heating and cooling system. Receive a personalized proposal with pricing, available rebates, and contractor info. Home energy upgrades made in 2025 will reap savings at installation and save homeowners energy costs down the road due to energy efficiency improvements that will reduce energy costs. 

Climate change in Howard County is increasing the number of annual hot days and the intensity of extreme heat events. Last year, there were 45 days at or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in the Baltimore region. Staying informed is one of the most effective ways to prepare for climate change impacts from extreme heat. 

Extreme Heat Awareness Tips and Resources 

• Extreme heat, especially when combined with high humidity, is dangerous. A heat index is used to quantify the temperature it feels like to the human body when humidity and temperature is combined. For example, when the air temperature outside is 94 degrees Fahrenheit with 55% relative humidity, it might feel like 106 degrees to the human body. 
• Heat Safety is the Howard County Health Department’s Hazard of the Month for July. Explore Howard County’s Public Health Preparedness Program and ReadyHoCo page for more heat safety and preparedness tips to stay cool this summer. Populations most vulnerable to health impacts are older adults, children and infants, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness for yourself and others can help to save lives. 
• Get familiar with the National Weather Service’s terminology used to issue heat alerts:
• Extreme Heat Warning—Take Action! An Extreme Heat Warning is issued when extremely dangerous heat conditions with a heat index value of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher are expected or occurring.
• Extreme Heat Watch—Be Prepared! An Extreme Heat Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event, but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain.  
• Heat Advisory—Take Action! A Heat Advisory is issued when dangerous heat conditions with a heat index value of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher are expected, but conditions are not expected to reach warning criteria. 
• Get to know the locations of cooling centers near you. Howard County activates cooling centers at community centers, 50+ centers, and libraries when specific heat conditions are met. Residents can access air conditioning at these facilities during normal business hours. Be sure to follow Howard County Government on social media to know when cooling centers are activated this summer.  

It’s another plastic free summer with Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks (DRP)! Thanks to a partnership between DRP and the Office of Community Sustainability, summer campers can stay hydrated with these reusable water bottles when they forget to bring their own from home. 

Looking for ideas to reduce plastics in your everyday life? Plastic Free July has ideas to help you reduce single-use plastics at home, at work, and beyond.

Washing your car can be a fun summer activity or just another weekend chore – but did you know it can also be harmful to your local environment? This summer, following these simple guidelines can help protect local waterways from harmful dirt, detergents, and motor oils that wash away as you scrub. 

The most stream friendly way to wash your car is to take it to a professional car wash! They are required to treat/recycle their water and not let it run to our streams. Remember the following if you’re taking the DIY approach: 

• wash your car on grass, gravel, or a permeable surface, 
• block off storm drains with an insert, especially if you’re hosting a car wash fundraiser, 
• use biodegradable soaps, 
• learn more by visiting Clean Water Howard. 

If you hire a mobile detailing service, ensure that they’re taking these important (and required!) precautions: 

• not allowing wash water to run off into storm drains, and
• disposing of wash water in an indoor drain OR capturing it in their vehicle to be properly disposed of off-site. 

Mobile detailers are required to follow Howard County code. These guidelines are outlined in a flyer recently distributed to mobile detailers by Howard County's Bureau of Environmental Services.

Passionate about water quality and local stream health? Join an online information session this month to find out if the Master Watershed Steward credential is a good fit for you. The Howard County Watershed Stewards Academy is hosting Google Meets at 7pm on Wednesday, July 16 (TODAY), and Thursday, July 31, to share information about the upcoming fall semester. Pre-registration for the information session is not required.

Master Watershed Steward Certification classes are offered by Howard Community College in partnership with University of Maryland Extension. Classes take place virtually on Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm, starting September 2 through December. The fall semester lecture series is followed by a capstone project component involving community-based activities from January through August. Learn more about the coursework and credential on the Howard Community College website. Enrollment is now open for the fall semester. 

New Grant Helps Communities Charge Up

Now through July 31, nonprofit townhome and/or condo community associations can apply for the new Community Charging Connections grant for up to $10,000 to support the addition of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in common parking areas.

This limited pilot program is designed to address barriers to EV charging faced by townhome and condo communities that lack private garages and/or driveways. It is funded by a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). Program participants will be asked to provide feedback about the County’s permitting and approval process to help identify further opportunities to streamline and simplify the process. Complete details and the online application are available on the Community Charging Connections webpage.

Great to Be Green at Savage Park

Savage Park is Maryland’s first “Green Zone” certified park, achieving the designation from the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) after transitioning to battery-powered hedgers, leaf blowers, and trimmers that will be used and stored at on site.

The AGZA Green Zone Certification is conferred when routine landscape maintenance is performed with low-impact equipment and people-powered tools, showcasing environmental leadership that prioritizes clean, quiet, and sustainable landscape maintenance practices.

The new equipment at Savage Park improves working conditions for Howard County Recreation and Parks staff and reduces the negative impacts of gas-powered landscaping equipment. The battery-powered equipment:

• saves more than $8,500 on fuel and maintenance during the first five years of service;
• eliminates an estimated 570 pounds of toxic and carcinogenic emissions, including 43 pounds of ozone-forming exhaust; 
• removes 1,125 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions—the equivalent of what 23 mature trees absorb in a year; and 
• prevents potential spills of gas and oil that could seep into soil and aquifers. 

Learn more about the project on the new Electric Landscaping page on the Live Green Howard website.

Air Pollution's Impact on Lung Cancer

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study published in the July 2 issue of Nature finds that air pollution is linked to increased cancer-driving and cancer-promoting genetic mutations among nonsmokers with lung cancer. 

In the largest-ever genomic analysis of lung cancer among non-smokers, researchers found that air pollution causes more cancer-related changes than secondhand smoke. 

The study adds further evidence to negative health impacts of so-called fine-particulate air pollution, which includes emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles and industry.