Summary:
In the Spring of 2019, the Town replaced the central fuel oil furnace in the Municipal Center with a much more efficient natural gas-powered system that not only will be less expensive for heating the building, but also better for environment with a cleaner gas. The HVAC system in the Municipal Center was replaced in 2017. The more efficient system has been a cost savings to the Town.
“Sustainable energy is energy produced and used in such a way that it "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
EV Stations
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In 2020, Potomac Edison installed an EV station in the Elm Street parking lot, and has plans to install one in the municipal lot at the corner of East Green Street and North Church Street. Currently the Town does not own any E-vehicles.
Solar Panels
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Middletown was awarded a $25,000 grant from MEA in 2017 for a 7.2 kW solar PV system for installation on the town-owned food bank building. The panels were installed in the fall of 2019.
Solar Array
Constructed in the fall of 2015 and commissioned on April 22, 2016, the Town of Middletown has a live 836 kilowatt solar array on 6.4 acres of municipal land. This photovoltaic solar installation is directly adjacent to the East Wastewater Treatment Plant and delivers 1,143 MWh of electricity annually to fully power Middletown's water and wastewater facilities. 100% solar energy is used to power Middletown's water and wastewater treatment facility, which provides 300,000 gallons of clean drinking water a day to Town residents. The solar project was financed using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), a third-party contract that enables Middletown to generate low-cost electricity without "out-of-pocket" expense. Frederick, MD's Empower Energies and Reading, PA-based RER Energy Group were co-developers of this project with Sol Systems serving as financing partner. Middletown's solar strategy will keep costs low and predictable for the next twenty years and is expected to save the Town $10,000 per year. Based on the latest numbers from the solar array project, the Town is still saving money, but not as much as it did the first couple years due to lower electricity costs thru Potomac Edison.
The Middletown solar array became operational in January 2016. At the end of each year of operation, Potomac Edison reviews the power generation from the solar array against actual power usage by the Town. After our first year of operation, the solar array is producing 110% of its intended design. In fact, the solar array is generating enough additional power that the Town can add an additional electric account to the net metering. The Town is currently evaluating which electric account to add to the net metering. The solar array allows the Town to have level cost for electricity over the 20 year lease. We are proud to see the planned designed functioning as projected.
Did you know that many residences within town have gone solar? Take a shine to this amazing map of all the solar energy facilities within the Town of Middletown!!
Zero Waste Maryland
In another part of the facility, 234,400 gallons of wastewater are treated each day. With pollutants removed, this treated water is then used to irrigate the nearby Richland Golf Course. Middletown's wastewater reuse supports the State of Maryland's "Zero Waste Maryland" initiative, which seeks to reduce, reuse, and recycle all waste generated in Maryland by 2040.
Resources
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