Worcester County Schools Land $5.9M for Energy Upgrades

Worcester County, MD - Worcester County Public Schools is getting a major financial boost to upgrade three school buildings, with more than $5.9 million in state grant funding on the way.

Governor Wes Moore announced the funding on May 19 as part of a statewide $56.8 million investment through the Maryland Energy Administration. The grants are aimed at cutting energy costs and improving facilities across Maryland.

Worcester County's share breaks down across three schools.

Snow Hill Elementary School will receive $2,625,000 to replace its HVAC system with a high-efficiency, fully electric system.

Berlin Intermediate School is set to receive $2,479,000 to install a geothermal system designed to reach net-zero energy operations.

Worcester Technical High School will receive $812,500 to add 325 kilowatts of solar capacity owned by the school district.

Superintendent of Schools Annette Wallace said the projects will benefit students and staff for years to come.

"These projects represent a significant investment in the future of Worcester County Public Schools," Wallace said. "By modernizing our facilities with energy-efficient technologies, we are creating healthier learning environments for students and staff while reducing long-term operational costs and supporting Maryland's sustainability goals."

The grants come through programs including the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program, which helps school systems switch to cleaner energy sources. Statewide, the funded projects are expected to produce more than 33,000 megawatt-hours of lifetime energy savings and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Governor Moore framed the investment as a way to put money back in the hands of Maryland residents.

"We are laser-focused on making Maryland more affordable, and that means taking direct action to lower everyday costs," Moore said. "By investing in energy efficiency, we aren't just reducing emissions, we are cutting utility bills and keeping more money in the pockets of Maryland families, schools, and businesses."

Maryland Energy Administration Director Kelly Speakes-Backman said the improvements will benefit both the environment and everyday Marylanders.

"The awards we're announcing today will make Maryland's homes, schools and large buildings cleaner and more efficient, resulting in lower bills for ratepayers, reduced energy demand, and lower emissions for all of us," Speakes-Backman said.

The upgrades at all three Worcester County schools are expected to lower operating costs over time while supporting the district's commitment to responsible environmental practices.