Maryland Clean Energy Center Launched to Transform the State’s Energy Economy
GBB Assisting in Selecting Private Developer for Annapolis Renewable Energy Park

Recognizing the need for a coordinated approach to building a strong clean energy economy in Maryland, state leaders passed legislation establishing the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), the first in the region, in the 2008 Maryland General Assembly session. The MCEC will be headquartered in Montgomery County at the Camille Kendall Academic Center at the University of Maryland, The Universities at Shady Grove campus. Its purpose is to promote clean energy economic development and jobs in the state; encourage deployment of clean energy technologies across Maryland; assist newly developed technologies with pilot projects; collect, analyze and disseminate industry data; and provide outreach and technical support to further the clean energy industry in Maryland.  The MCEC’s mission is to transform the energy economy in the State of Maryland by dramatically increasing the number of clean energy related technical innovations, entrepreneurial businesses, jobs and consumer adoption of products and services.

The City of Annapolis partnered with Montgomery County to offer access and free use of its proposed 500-acre Annapolis Renewable Energy Park (AREP). The AREP, which will become part of the MCEC, will be a public-private partnership demonstrating the commercial use of several renewable energy technologies, including solar, biomass conversion and methane gas recovery from two closed landfills on site.  In addition to commercialized energy projects, the AREP will be a demonstration site for a wide variety of technologies, potentially including geothermal, energy conservation strategies, micro-hydro, wind power, biodiesel and other emerging energy solutions.  The private developer will design, build, finance and operate the projects.  The AREP will also house educational programs, conferences and seminars, and training opportunities for local, regional and national groups.

Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. is assisting the City of Annapolis and the Northeast Maryland Disposal Authority in selecting a private developer for the AREP, negotiating a development agreement for the site and implementing the various energy projects to be put in the park.

Press Release: Governor O'Malley Announces Region's First Clean Energy Center »
Baltimore Business Journal article: Maryland picks Montgomery County for clean energy headquarters site »
Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority Website »
Maryland Clean Energy Center Website »
City of Annapolis - Annapolis Renewable Energy Park Info »