FVB Energy was pleased to sponsor and participate in the Montgomery County Energy Summit, held April 28–29, 2026 in Silver Spring, Maryland, where Scott Emery and Ben Burgoyne presented on “Unlocking Decarbonization and Resiliency through Thermal Energy Networks.” The session drew a near-capacity audience, with strong engagement and thoughtful discussion reflecting a clear shift from early awareness toward implementation-focused thinking.
This momentum is being driven by policy. Montgomery County has set an ambitious goal of achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and has paired that with a robust Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) framework. BEPS requires most buildings over 25,000 square feet to benchmark energy use annually and meet defined performance standards over time, creating a clear, compliance-driven pathway for change.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/department-environmental-protection/energy/energy-commercial-multifamily/benchmarking-performance-standard-requirements
At the Summit, it was evident that BEPS is already influencing decision-making. Building owners are actively evaluating retrofit strategies, electrification pathways, and long-term capital plans. The discussions made clear that BEPS is not just a reporting requirement; it is effectively motivating action across the market.
This local pressure is reinforced by broader state policy. Maryland’s Building Energy Performance Standards require large buildings to progressively reduce direct emissions and achieve net-zero direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, implying a long-term transition away from on-site fossil fuel combustion.
At the same time, large campuses and multifamily developments in the County are beginning to explore how to meet these requirements in practice. For these types of properties, building-by-building electrification may not always be the most efficient pathway. District energy systems and ambient thermal energy networks offer an alternative approach—enabling clusters of buildings to share thermal resources, improve efficiency, and support coordinated decarbonization at scale. In parallel, Maryland’s WARMTH Act is intended to advance the development of thermal energy network pilots, including a potential project in Montgomery County that was highlighted during the opening day keynote by Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, the Act’s sponsor.
One of the clearest takeaways from the event was the level of commitment and engagement across stakeholders. Policymakers, utilities, property owners, and solution providers are actively working through implementation challenges and aligning around practical next steps.
Montgomery County is emerging as a leading example of how strong policy signals can accelerate the deployment of scalable solutions. As jurisdictions work toward similar goals, thermal energy networks are well positioned to play a key role in delivering equitable, resilient, and cost-effective decarbonization at scale.
