Susan Keller, Financial Services Manager, Frederick County Government
Frederick County, MD
Frederick County, MD
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FREDERICK, Md - County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and the Frederick County Sustainability Commission have announced the recipients of this year’s Sustainability Awards. These awards honor individuals, organizations, and businesses that demonstrate innovative approaches to sustainability—whether through conserving resources, enhancing biodiversity, or fostering environmental awareness and inclusivity within their communities.
Each year, nominations are submitted by the public and awardees are selected by the members of the Sustainability Commission. The Commission’s work promotes the natural environment’s critical relevance in making Frederick County a healthy, abundant, affordable, and inspiring place to live and work. To that end, this award highlights the leadership, innovation, and successes of local sustainability champions, with the aim of inspiring others to contribute toward a more resilient and sustainable future for all.
The 2024 Awardees are:
The awards were presented by Faith Klareich, Chair of the Sustainability Commission, and Amy Rembold, Vice Chair. Klareich commented, “One of the highlights of serving on the Sustainability Commission is selecting these award winners. The extent to which individuals go to be sustainable in their employment, their school, or their own home, business or farm is truly impressive and a model for others. Our goal is to recognize these leaders and to energize those who are thinking about going green to just do it!”
The celebratory gathering to honor the awardees was attended by County Executive Fitzwater, the County’s Chief Administrative Officer, John Peterson, and Shannon Moore, Director of the Division of Energy and Environment, as well as County staff and community members. To learn more about the award winners, please visit the Division of Energy and Environment’s (DEE) website at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/GreenAward. To participate in or be notified of DEE’s green events and programs, follow their work on Facebook and Instagram @SustainableFCMD.
FREDERICK, Md. – Frederick County is proud to announce the beginning of the planning process for its Green Infrastructure Plan, a bold new initiative aimed at addressing critical issues related to the natural and built environment, community resilience, and environmental stewardship. This forward-thinking plan reflects the County’s commitment to sustainability, which is a cornerstone of both County Executive Jessica Fitzwater’s administration and the community-led Transition Team’s 2023 recommendations. Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the plan’s development through upcoming public forums.
“Frederick County is taking concrete steps to ensure a healthier, more resilient environment while promoting community well-being,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “I look forward to working with the public to develop and implement the Green Infrastructure Plan. Sustainability is not only about protecting the environment – it’s about creating a livable, vibrant future where everyone can thrive.”
Goals of the Green Infrastructure Plan include establishing a strategic network of “hubs” and “corridors” that reduce habitat fragmentation, provide options for wildlife migration, sustain and regenerate working lands, mitigate the effects of climate change, and increase access to green space and outdoor recreation opportunities. The plan will consider factors that affect environmental, agricultural, and recreational resources in the County.
The Livable Frederick Planning and Design Office is leading the planning effort. The first phase of the process will involve a series of meetings with the Green Infrastructure Advisory Group.
Green Infrastructure Advisory Group Members:
Opportunities for members of the public to participate and provide comment will be available through open houses, Planning Commission workshops as the plan is developed, Planning Commission public hearings as a draft document is considered, and as the Recommended Plan moves forward for County Council review.
The first Green Infrastructure Advisory Group meeting will be held Thursday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m. in the Division of Planning and Permitting’s office at 30 N. Market Street in Frederick.
FREDERICK, Md. – Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul Pinsky joined Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater this afternoon to announce a total of $3.4 million in grants from the State agency to the County. Funds will be used for a range of projects, including the purchase of one of the first electric fire trucks on the East Coast. Other initiatives include installing energy-efficient lights, saving residents money on their home electric bills, and building a resilience center at the County-owned Prospect Center.
“My administration is proud to not only help our residents find avenues toward a more sustainable home and lifestyle, but also set an example by engaging in long-term clean energy projects at the County level,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “The Moore-Miller Administration and MEA are fantastic partners. I appreciate Director Pinsky’s steadfast support of Frederick County’s energy conservation efforts.”
The purchase of an electric fire engine is supported by a $262,432 Medium Duty & Heavy Duty ZEV MEA grant. Electric fire trucks reduce emissions, fuel use, and noise pollution. They can be fully recharged in 90 minutes. “This initiative affirms our commitment to environmental sustainability and, more crucially, the health and safety of our first responders,” said Frederick County Fire Chief Tom Coe, Director of the Division of Fire and Rescue Services.
MEA also awarded two grants totaling over $1.8 million to Frederick County for the Power Saver Retrofits Program, which helps residents make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. Other MEA grants funded the installation of LED lights at the Thurmont Regional Library and in Pinecliff, Fountain Rock, Libertytown, and Middletown Parks and electric vehicles and chargers ($234,835 combined); and $1 million to support the construction of a resiliency hub at the Prospect Center.
