Prince George’s County’s Climate Action Plan: What Businesses Need To Know To Stay Compliant

As part of the nationwide push to confront the climate crisis, Prince George’s County, Maryland, has adopted a comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP) to guide its transition to a low-carbon, resilient future. The plan targets a 50% reduction in community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and aims for carbon neutrality by 2050.

The county’s strategy emphasizes energy efficiency, electrification, and building performance standards for commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings. For businesses operating in the region, these changes will impact building operations, infrastructure investments, and regulatory compliance.

If you are a building owner, operator, or facilities decision-maker in Prince George’s County, understanding the CAP’s requirements and recommended actions is critical to ensure your property remains compliant, cost-effective, and competitive.

Understanding the Plan’s Vision and Scope

The Prince George’s County Climate Action Plan focuses on practical, near-term actions with long-term implications. The core strategies are organized under three broad areas:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Strengthening resilience to climate hazards.
• Transforming county operations to lead by example.

The plan identifies 26 Priority Recommendations that guide countywide climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. These include requirements and incentives that directly affect commercial real estate, such as energy efficiency mandates, building electrification, renewable energy adoption, and smarter water use.

The CAP is aligned with state goals under Maryland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act, which requires a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, and with regional targets set by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Key Implications for Commercial and Multifamily Buildings

1. Benchmarking and Building Performance Standards

The CAP prioritizes energy benchmarking and performance tracking for large buildings. This includes:

• Tracking annual energy use through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
• Reporting performance to the county for compliance evaluations.
• Meeting progressively stricter energy performance thresholds by 2030.

While not yet codified into a formal BPS ordinance, the CAP makes clear that building performance standards will be a central implementation mechanism. Commercial and multifamily properties should prepare to meet site energy use intensity (EUI) targets.

2. Electrification of Building Systems

To reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the CAP calls for building electrification across all sectors. That means replacing:

• Gas-powered HVAC systems with electric heat pumps.
• Gas water heaters with electric options.
• Gas stoves and cooking equipment with induction or electric alternatives.

Electrification aligns with the state’s push for 100% renewable electricity and will be required for new construction and major renovations. Building owners should evaluate electrical infrastructure and plan for phased equipment replacement.

3. Renewable Energy Integration

The CAP urges businesses to install or procure renewable energy:

• Rooftop and community solar installations.
• Battery storage systems to improve resilience and manage peak loads.
• Participation in green power purchase programs.

This transition supports both emissions reduction and energy cost savings. Properties may qualify for incentives under Maryland’s Clean Energy Jobs Act or through utility rebate programs.

4. Deep Energy Retrofits and Weatherization

Energy efficiency retrofits are essential to meeting the county’s 2030 and 2050 targets. The plan calls for:

• Accelerating building envelope upgrades (insulation, windows, air sealing).
• Improving system-level efficiency (HVAC, lighting, controls).
• Applying performance standards to existing buildings through mandatory retrofits or performance plans.

Owners of older or inefficient buildings should consider audits and phased retrofitting to remain compliant.

5. Smart Water and Waste Management

Water efficiency is another performance metric addressed by the CAP:

• Upgrading plumbing fixtures to reduce water use.
• Implementing stormwater capture and reuse systems.
• Supporting zero-waste goals through better recycling, composting, and material reuse.

Businesses should expect pressure to reduce consumption and adopt more sustainable waste practices.

Timeline and Compliance Outlook

While the Climate Action Plan does not yet have enforceable regulations in place for all strategies, it sets the foundation for future ordinances and compliance deadlines. Businesses should anticipate:

• New reporting requirements and building performance targets starting as early as 2025.
• Electrification mandates tied to major equipment replacements and new construction.
• Enforcement of energy codes that align with the CAP’s goals.
• Increasing financial penalties for non-compliance and missed reporting deadlines.

Opportunities for Building Owners

Rather than viewing the CAP as a regulatory hurdle, businesses can use it to unlock value and long-term savings. Energy-efficient, all-electric buildings offer:

• Lower utility costs through reduced energy and water use.
• Improved resilience against power outages and extreme weather.
• Higher property values and stronger market appeal.
• Eligibility for state and local incentives, financing programs, and clean energy tax credits.

Businesses that act early will benefit from more generous funding options and fewer compliance risks.

Recommended Next Steps

If your property is located in Prince George’s County, you should begin planning now.

• Conduct an energy audit and establish a building performance baseline.
• Benchmark energy use and track site EUI through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
• Prioritize electrification of HVAC, water heating, and cooking systems.
• Identify opportunities to add on-site solar or connect to community solar.
• Apply for available grants, rebates, or C-PACE financing for energy improvements.
• Stay informed about local ordinances and emerging BPS regulations.

Prince George’s County is leading the way toward a low-carbon economy. Commercial and multifamily building owners who understand the Climate Action Plan and begin aligning with its goals now will be best positioned to succeed in the decade ahead.