The summer saw Rockville receive grants that will allow the city to continue progress on its Climate Action Plan.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board approved
$371,000 for the city to install up to four bikeshare stations in Twinbrook and $324,000 for design and installation of up to four electric vehicle charging stations in rights of way at 735 Monroe St. and 504 Blandford St., and at the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center and the Rockville Senior Center.
The funding, resulting from the $1 trillion federal infrastructure legislation passed in 2021, and administered under the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Carbon Reduction Program, will expand access to bikeshare and to EV charging for residents without access to chargers at home.
A $134,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant will be used to install solar panels on the gym rooftop at Lincoln Park Community Center and replace a landscape equipment trailer with a trailer capable of charging electric landscaping equipment, to better comply with a county law to reduce air and noise pollution from yard equipment.
The Maryland Energy Administration awarded Rockville four grants through a program for clean energy projects. They include $130,000 to convert approximately 650 streetlights to LED fixtures, up to $48,000 for up to eight EV charging ports for city fleet vehicles at the city’s maintenance facility on Rothgeb Drive and the Recreation Services Building at Rockville Civic Center Park, and up to $63,000 to-ward LED lighting upgrades at Thomas Farm Community Center. MEA will also provide up to $10,000 for a solar consultant to evaluate city-owned property to identify facilities where solar energy systems could be installed.
Learn more about Rockville’s Climate Action Plan at www.rockvillemd.gov/climate.