Energy Awareness

• Bill Payment Assistance Programs

• Choosing Your Energy Supplier

• Consumer Protection and Dispute Resolution

• Efficiency Ratings

• Green Technologies

• Recycling

Bill Payment Assistance Programs

Baltimore County Department of Social Services. Office of Home Energy Programs
Need help in paying for fuel and electricity? This office is the local contact for state home energy assistance programs designed to help low-income citizens pay their heating bills and reduce their energy costs.

Connections: Children, Youth and Family Resources - Energy Assistance
Local organizations providing assistance with utility bill payment.

Maryland Department of Human Resources. Office of Home Energy Programs
Eligibility, information on how to apply, and downloadable applications in English and Spanish for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) that assists with home heating bills, the Electrical Universal Service Program (EUSP) which assists low-income customers with their electric bills, the Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) that protects low-income families from utility cut-offs, and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) which provides at no cost weather stripping, caulking, plastic window covering, etc. to eligible families.

2-1-1 Maryland at First Call For Help
A free, confidential service that connects callers with services statewide. The service is available 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
If you are having difficulty paying your gas or electric bills, call to work out payment arrangements. Download the Consumer Resource Guide, which is also available in Spanish, to find out what help is available.

Community Assistance Network Utility Assistance
Six Baltimore County offices help clients with utility payments to prevent utility cut-offs, to restore terminated services, and to purchase fuel oil and propane. Contact for the Fuel Fund of Baltimore County.

Community Assistance Network Weatherization Assistance Program
Delivers weatherization services to income-qualified residents of Baltimore County to reduce fuel costs.

Maryland Access Point (MAP) for Baltimore County
Contact for seniors, their families and caregivers about services, emergency grants, and other benefits.

Utility Bill Assistance - Maryland Office of the People's Counsel [PDF] 
Resource guide that gives detailed information about assistance programs for Baltimore County.

Choosing Your Energy Supplier

Choosing Your Residential Electricity Supplier
The Maryland Office of the People's Counsel provides information to help on deciding who supplies your electricity.Contact information is given to help with comparing services.

Current Electric Rates and Tariffs - Baltimore Gas and Electric Company 
Information on the current residential electric supply rates (the price to compare)  and a bill example.

Choosing Your Residential Natural Gas Supplier
Basic tips on shopping for a natural gas supplier from the Maryland Office of the People's Counsel.

Utility Company Customer Contact Information -  Maryland Public Service Commission
Phone numbers and website links to gas and electric companies

Consumer Protection and Dispute Resolution

Do You Have A Dispute? - Maryland Public Service Commission  [PDF]
Frequently asked questions about how the Public Service Commission can help you with utility problems

Energy Savers - United States Department of Energy
The Office on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy helps consumers explore options for saving energy and using renewable energy at home and at work.

Maryland Energy Administration
Information on financial incentives available to Maryland residents and businesses. Background information on conventional, renewable energy sources as well as heating and cooling energy efficiency options.

Maryland Home Improvement Commission
Site to verify a contractor's license, to ask about complaints filed against a company or to file a complaint.

Maryland Office of the People's Counsel
An independent state agency that represents residential utility customers. Their Customer Assistance Unit provides information to assist in answering or solving problems with electricity, natural gas, telephone and water service.

Ready to File a Complaint Against a Utility? - Maryland Public Service Commission
How to get help and file a complaint about a utility company. Online and downloadable complaint form is available.

Utility Bills Higher Than Expected? - Maryland Public Service Commission
Answers to consumers' commonly asked questions when disputing the amount of their electric or gas bill.

Efficiency Ratings

Alliance to Save Energy
Offers consumer tips on saving money through energy efficiency. Includes information on energy efficiency tax credits.

Consumer Information - Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Search database of certified dehumidifiers, room air cleaners and room air conditioners.

Maryland Energy Administration 
Through energy efficiency and renewable energy incentive programs, MEA saves money for Maryland residents every year.

Performance Certified Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment
The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute Directory that allows you to search by HVACR equipment and components by product lines, certified ratings or manufacturer.

Green Technologies

Building Green
"Find the green building products that you need for your project and see examples of green projects around the world."

Green Building Supply
Green Building Supply features natural and non-toxic building materials -- that are safe, environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Green Home Guide
Before you begin planning for your green home, check out this U.S. Green Building Council site. In addition to building and remodeling guidelines, the site addresses lifestyle issues. It features helpful interactive tools and information to help you find out how green your life is and how to make it greener.

Maryland Environmental Design Program
"Dedicated to advancing the application of economically sound and environmentally sensitive building and site-design techniques, the Environmental Design Program provides the business community, local governments and interested citizens."

Maryland Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
Find state, local, and utility incentives from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

Recycling

Baltimore County "Donate, Don't Dump" Program

Baltimore County has partnered with the Loading Dock, Inc to accept reuseable building materials at the Eastern Sanitary Landfill (ESL) in White Marsh and the Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facility (BCRRF) in Cockeysville. Get a tax deduction form on site.

Baltimore County Electronics Recycling
Accepted items include TVs, VCRs, DVD players, computer monitors, CPUs, mice, keyboards, cell phones, laptops, scanners, computer cables and cords, stereos, answering machines, and other home electronics. No appliances! Baltimore County residents can drop off their electronics for recycling at three Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facilities, Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.(3:30 Eastern Sanitary Landfill).

Baltimore County Reuse Directory 
Directory of reuse organizations for Baltimore County residents and businesses. The directory is a tool for matching people who have materials to give away with organizations that accept those materials. A quarterly newsletter, The ReSource can be subscribed to on-line . It contains information on recycling, waste prevention, special events and more.

Baltimore County Single Stream Recycling Program
Find information on how to set out recyclables for collection, what materials are accepted in the new program, and more.

Composting
Information on vermicomposting and soil incorporation as alternatives to fertilizing gardens.

Greenergadgets.org
The FCC recommends this site to help consumers locate electronics recycling centers and purchase green electronics in their area. Search by ZIP code.

Lazarus Foundation Computer Recycling
Accepts tax deductible donations of surplus computer equipment, which they restore and donate to schools and non-profits.

Maryland Computer Recycling and Reuse
Excellent local computer recycling and reuse directories.

Recycling in Maryland
County, City and State recycling services, drop-off locations, and contact information.