Maryland

The final reduction goal of 10% below 2005 energy use for State buildings is superseded by legislation, but still technically part of State Law.

All new public construction and major renovations larger than 7,500 square feet must achieve the LEED Silver level or two Green Globes. Between 2009 and 2014 the state must pay for half the additional cost required for public schools to meet this standard.

The State Buildings Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act requires all state agencies to reduce their energy consumption 5% by 2009 and 10% by 2010. The Department of General Services (DGS), in cooperation with MEA, set energy performance indices for each agency. Each state agency must conduct gas and electric analyses. The Act also requires state agencies to submit an Energy Conservation Plan to MEA by July 1, 2008, with Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) to achieve the reduction goals.

ECMs cited in the bill include energy performance contracting, energy efficient lighting retrofits, water conservation devices, weatherization, efficient heating and cooling devices, and employee training.

Maryland Life Cycle Cost Analysis Standards were established in 1990 requiring the DGS to include an evaluation of the use of renewable energy systems (including active and passive solar and wind systems) and energy efficient strategies (including the effect of insulation, the amount and type of glass, and direction of exposure) in creating standards for determining a building's life-cycle costs.

Additionally, in determining life-cycle costs, an energy consumption analysis is required for each major piece of equipment in the building's chief energy-consuming systems (including cooling, heating, hot water, lighting, and ventilation systems).

The MBPS (Maryland Building Performance Standards) is updated every three years corresponding to the International Code Council (ICC) change cycle. When the ICC updates their I-codes, Maryland will adopt the newest version. Maryland has a state process to follow to adopt the new codes, so they are usually adopted within six months of the printing of the I-codes.

The state code is enforced by local jurisdictions that have adopted the code through plan review and inspections.

The MBPS is mandatory statewide. Builders must demonstrate compliance to local government (cities, counties).

Building professionals use REScheck and COMcheck materials to show compliance.

The Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS) referred to the 1993 BOCA International NBC. Chapter 13 of the 1993 NBC adopts by reference the 1993 MEC. In addition, the 1993 NBC allows conformance with ASHRAE/IES Standard 90-75 for single-family dwellings and multi-family residential buildings not over three stories high as an alternative to the MEC.

In 1981 Maryland passed the Energy Conservation Building Standards Act, which established the MBPS requiring statewide conformance to the current edition of the BOCA NBC. The Act established a limited role for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The Act also grants them rulemaking authority to amend the MBPS through publications in the Maryland register and subsequent hearings on administrative actions.

Senate Bill 64 passed both the Senate and the House and was signed by the Governor April 25, 2000. On January 1, 2001, the 2000 International Building Code, including the 2000 IECC, became effective (BCAP July/August 2001).

The Department of Housing and Community Development published a notice to update the MBPS in the Maryland Register on January 13, 1997. They proposed to adopt the 1996 NBC, with amendments, into the MBPS. In its notice, the Department of Housing and Community Development did not propose to modify anything in the 1996 NBC relating to "energy." Comments on the proposal were to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development. No public hearings were scheduled (three relevant hearings were held in the summer of 1996). That proposal was administratively adopted in April 1997.

The Department of Housing and Community Development developed CODE LYNX, a computer database that provided easy access to the MBPS and the BOCA National Fire Prevention Code via the internet. CODE LYNX allowed users to search for any topic in the MBPS and Fire Code and to compare the BOCA based MBPS with amendments to those standards by local jurisdictons. All new construction, additions, and alterations to existing buildings had to comply with the code.

Effective September 1, 1997, the MBPS referred to the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) International 1996 National Building Code (NBC). Chapter 13 of the 1996 NBC adopted by reference the 1995 Council of American Building Officials (CABO) Model Energy Code (MEC). The 1995 MEC adopted by reference ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1989.

Effective September 20, 2004, the Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS)will be based on the 2003 IBC (including Chapter 13 - Energy Efficiency). Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS), based on the 2000 IECC. were mandatory statewide

On July 1, 2007, Maryland Building Performance Standards were updated to the 2006 IECC.

On October 1, 2009, Maryland Building Performance Standards were updated to the 2009 IECC.