Maryland Energy Administration, Maryland Environmental Service Jointly Announce Award for Clean Natural Gas Infrastructure Project for University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Eastern Correctional Institution

BALTIMORE, MD — The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) and Maryland Environmental Service (MES) announced today that Chesapeake Utilities will install critical energy infrastructure for both the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and Eastern Correctional Institution (ECI) in Somerset County. The awardee was selected after a competitive MES procurement process.

“This project will create jobs while bringing lower energy prices to the residents and businesses on the Eastern Shore. It will also significantly reduce the carbon footprint for both facilities and provide a pathway forward for clean natural gas,” stated Dr. Mary Beth Tung, MEA Director. “Cleaner energy is the key to an improved environment and for expanded economic development for the residents of the Eastern Shore. "

“MES will facilitate this project, providing a cleaner and more reliable fuel source for our State business partners Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) and University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES),” said Roy McGrath, Maryland Environmental Service CEO and Chairman. “This project serves as an important transition to a much more environmentally sustainable and efficient method of operation, and an investment to spur further regional economic development.”

“This project demonstrates the State of Maryland’s commitment to finding the most environmentally responsible and efficient methods of supplying power to our facilities,” said DPSCS Acting Secretary Michael Ziegler.

“The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is pleased to welcome this new opportunity for our campus to be more environmentally friendly,” said President Heidi M. Anderson. “UMES thanks Governor Hogan and the Maryland Environmental Service (MES) for their work to make Maryland cleaner and greener.”

The awardee was selected after an exhaustive and competitive procurement process involving DPSCS, MEA, UMES, the University System of Maryland (USM), and was led by MES. UMES is a public institution of higher education within the University System of Maryland, and operates 48 buildings on 745 acres. UMES currently uses a mix of fuel oils and propane to operate its heating system

ECI is a medium-security state prison for men, owned and operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and, currently utilizes debarked wood chips as its primary source of fuel.

The State of Maryland has been working diligently to expand alternative energy options like natural gas to residents and businesses. In December of 2017, Governor Larry Hogan announced that the State of Maryland, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, and Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), had reached a $161.1 million settlement agreement in the proposed merger of Washington Gas Light’s parent company, WGL Holdings with AltaGas, Ltd. The State negotiated strongly to ensure the highest level of benefits for Marylanders including a Most Favored Nation clause, a residential rate credit ($50 per ratepayer), robust ring fencing, outreach and education programs, construction safety, and international arbitration protections.