Energy Reduction

City Hall

Wondering where you've seen us?

  • We've changed more than 11,000 street lights to more efficient lighting technology
  • We've switched 37,000 traffic lights to more efficient light emitting diodes(LED)
  • We've retrofitted 125 buildings in the last five years

The Baltimore Office of Sustainable Energy leverages grants, financing from the Master Lease, and other opportunities to increase the efficiency of Baltimore City's buildings, plants, and infrastructure.

We are upgrading fire stations, recreation centers, libraries, parking garages and other city buildings with lights, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and building envelope improvements. Our energy efficiency projects since 2006 have generated savings of more than $7 million in energy and operational savings per year.

One of the tools we use is the Energy Performance Contract (EPC). These contracts represent an agreement between the City and an energy service contractor that a project will deliver guaranteed savings over a set time period. The savings pay for the upgrades for the life of the contract – all additional savings accrue direct to the City. We also fund projects using federal and state grants.

Lighting up the City
In 2014, with a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration and utility rebates from BGE, we completed 63 energy upgrades in 54 recreation centers, libraries, schools, and police stations. We switched to more efficient lights, upgraded old heating and air conditioning systems, and replaced refrigerators. We completed this project in three months. And occupants are thrilled at the improvements in lighting quality.

From Curtis Bay to Park Heights - We’re saving more than $177,000 per year from this project alone.