Ch. 205

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Works; requiring the Interagency Council and Maryland Energy Administration
to cooperate, to assist, to provide technical assistance to, and to advise school
systems on certain matters; and generally relating to the pilot program to use
solar energy in public school buildings.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Education
Section 5-301.1
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2001 Replacement Volume and 2002 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Education

5-301.1.

(a)     (1) There is a solar energy pilot program to promote the use of solar
energy systems to generate electricity in public school buildings in the State.

(2) The pilot program shall be implemented and administered by the
Interagency Committee on School Construction and shall operate as provided in this
section.

(b)     The Interagency Committee shall:

(1)     Encourage all local boards in the State to study, design, and construct
or renovate school buildings that are energy efficient and use solar energy systems to
generate electricity to meet [a certain percent] SOME of the school building's
electrical energy needs, electrical energy demand, or a combination of the electrical
energy needs and electrical energy demand;

(2)     Provide grants out of State funds dedicated for this program to local
boards to assist in implementing the use of solar energy systems [in newly
constructed] AT EXISTING PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR IN NEW or renovated school
[buildings] BUILDING PROJECTS; and

(3)     Develop a procedure for a local board to apply for a grant in
accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

(c)      (1) A local board may apply to the Interagency Committee for a grant to
cover 90% of the [total additional cost of constructing or renovating school buildings
to utilize solar energy systems to meet the following percentages of the school
buildings' electrical energy needs, electrical energy demand, or a combination of the
electrical energy needs and electrical energy demand:

(i) For an elementary school, at least 20%;

(ii) For a middle school, at least 15%; and

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