Mobilize Frederick Hosts Annual Summit; Turnout Doubles

February 05, 2024

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by Clara Niel (Frederick News Post) Tables with posters were set up all around Hood College's Whitaker Campus Center on Saturday for Mobilize Frederick's Second Annual Climate Summit. ...

Mobilize Frederick, a climate nonprofit born in 2021 from a joint Frederick city and Frederick County Climate Emergency Mobilization Workgroup, always wanted to have a summit, so that people could be aware of what government and other organizations are doing in response to the climate crisis, Trader said.

The conference was held on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater spoke on the county's plan to make its vehicle fleet all electric by 2036.

This year, the number of people who participated and attended doubled, Trader said.

Last year, there were around 200, she said. This year, there were about 400.

Among the dozens of exhibitors were Advanced Biofuels USA, Key City Compost, Maryland Forest Service, and University of Maryland Extension.

Having all the organizations in one place also allows them to network and tackle issues together, she said.

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"To come together and see so many different organizations have so many different solutions I think is paramount for us to be able to actually be effective moving forward," he (Ben Friton, director of The REED Center for Ecosystem Reintegration) said. READ MORE

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Frederick County plans to have all-electric fleet of vehicles within 12 years (Frederick News Post)
Frederick County Speeding Up Efforts To Be More Sustainable -- County Executive says the county vehicle fleet will be all electric by 2036. (WFMD)
Maryland County Studies Feasibility of Electric Vehicle Fleet (Government Technology)
County Outlines Plans for Sustainable Transportation (Frederick County Government, Maryland)
Frederick County Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan (Frederick County, Maryland Division of Energy and Environment)
One Community at a Time: How to Gain Real GHG Benefits Quickly for Least Cost -- Experiences with the Frederick County and City Climate Emergency Mobilization Work Group (Advanced Biofuels USA)

Excerpt from Frederick News Post: For vehicles without an adequate fully electric alternative, the county will look at incorporating biodiesel fuel or using hybrid electric transportation. READ MORE

Excerpt from Frederick County Government, Maryland: Executive Fitzwater Unveils Readiness Plan for Community, Alternate Fuel Fleet Transition Plan for Government -- Frederick County Government is accelerating efforts to be more climate resilient. At Mobilize Frederick's annual Climate Summit today (February 2, 2024), Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced two new initiatives by the Division of Energy and Environment to speed up the use of electric vehicles by the County and the public. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan for County Government and the Community-wide Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan will guide the County as it transitions toward sustainable transportation.

“With these plans, we are turning sustainability ideals into meaningful actions,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “As our transportation infrastructure evolves, we not only pave the way for ‘greener’ vehicles, we also support innovation and economic growth. Our goal is to ensure a resilient future for Frederick County’s businesses and residents.”

Data from across Frederick County show the transportation sector accounts for about 48% of all greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Community input during the formation of the Livable Frederick Master Plan and feedback provided to the County Executive's transition team spoke to a desire to address this and create a more sustainable transportation system.

This need was accentuated when Governor Moore announced that the state would require car manufacturers to increase the share of electric vehicles they sell, reaching 100% of passenger car and light truck sales by 2035. By preparing now for a shift to EVs, Frederick County will be well-positioned to leverage federal and state funding to invest in infrastructure and resilience projects.

This work has already begun in Frederick County Government's operations. Staff from across County Divisions assessed which county vehicles were suitable for replacement with EVs or adoption of biodiesel. The process examined the status of existing vehicle technology, the kinds of tasks County vehicles perform, and the total cost of vehicle ownership. The resulting Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Fleet Transition Plan shows that it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector while lowering long-term fleet costs.

To make a substantial impact, others must be able to replicate and adopt these steps. The Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan (EVRP) provides a starting point for this process. The Plan identifies barriers to vehicle electrification and examines the need for expanding EV charging infrastructure.

Key highlights of the County's Community-wide EVRP initiative include:

Collaboration with stakeholders: Frederick County is actively collaborating with stakeholders, including large employers, utility providers, and community organizations, to foster a collaborative approach.
Evaluation of charging infrastructure: The EVRP includes an inventory of current and projected charging needs, as well as an examination of the costs, challenges, and benefits of community EV adoption.
Consideration of equity: Understanding barriers to EV adoption and identifying communities at a disadvantage for this transition will help form equitable policies and develop strategies to ensure inclusive opportunities.
Policy recommendations: An assessment of local ordinances, building codes, permitting processes, and parking and zoning regulations will help remove impediments to EV adoption.
Implementation strategies: The EVRP examines opportunities for utilizing existing infrastructure in new ways, best practices for siting charging stations, and outreach efforts that can assist the community.
Identifying funding opportunities: From federal funding to purchasing programs to grants and rebates, the County is outlining an array of economic incentives to fuel the transition to a zero-emission transportation system.

Shannon Moore, Director of the Division of Energy and Environment, expressed appreciation for the County's commitment to creating a more energy-efficient transportation system. “Working collaboratively across county agencies and in partnership with community stakeholders, we are creating a business and community-friendly way to reduce our carbon footprint and position Frederick County as a leader in the regional response to climate change.”

The public is encouraged to review the new plans and submit feedback as part of the County’s online survey. To do so, please visit frederickcountymd.gov/EVReadiness and frederickcountymd.gov/GreenFleet. To learn more about the Division of Energy and Environment’s diverse array of programs and their commitment to balancing social justice, economic growth, and environmental care, please follow their work on Facebook and Instagram @SustainableFCMD. READ MORE

Excerpt from Advanced Biofuels USA: Transportation and Renewable Fuels

Although the transportation recommendations (in the Frederick, Maryland, County and City Climate Emergency Mobilization Work Group Report) emphasize electrification, significant key points were made regarding renewable fuel use. These are summarized in Recommendation #16 (page 63 of Volume 1, reproduced below) and include:

Begin using renewable fuels in municipal and County fleets and equipment as soon as possible.
Encourage local fuel supply businesses (heating oil, aviation and retail/wholesale gasoline and diesel suppliers) to increase the renewable fuel options available to private consumers, businesses for fleets and equipment, and for agricultural purposes.
Provide consumer education, encouragement, and facilitation of renewable fuel use in collaboration with the business and agricultural communities.
Frederick Municipal Airport should provide sustainable aviation fuel as soon as possible.

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Original Renewable Fuel Recommendations

Renewable Fuel for Agriculture Recommendations v2

Renewable Fuel Heating Oil Fuel Recommendations v2

Renewable Fuel Light and Heavy Duty Vehicle Recommendations v2

Renewable Fuel Aviation Recommendations v2

Renewable Fuel for Public Transportation Buses Trains Recommendations v2

Excerpt from Frederick County, Maryland Division of Energy and Environment: Biodiesel Biodiesel is a readily available, affordable diesel fuel alternative. This fuel can provide short-term reductions in GHG emissions and, at certain blend levels, is easy to integrate into existing fleet vehicles and operations. While EVs offer a viable alternative to many of the County’s fleet vehicles, biodiesel offers an immediate solution to diesel-powered vehicles that are not yet cost effective to electrify. Particularly, B20 may be used as a drop-in fuel, meaning no changes to the vehicle engine are necessary for the vehicle to properly operate using this fuel. B20’s drop-in nature makes it an excellent choice for individuals and fleets looking to make quick, affordable reductions in their emissions output.

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While there are variations across biodiesel blends, fleets can still expect to see emissions benefits from introducing biodiesel. Emissions savings estimates for biodiesel are outlined in Table 8.

Table 8. Average Emissions Reductions for B20 Compared to Diesel³⁸

Pollutant B20 Emissions Savings

CO2 15%

Hydrocarbons 21%

CO 11%

Particulate Matter 10% B

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Other Alternative Fuels

The County is interested in pursuing EVs and biodiesel, but this study also evaluated compressed natural gas (CNG), hydrogen, E85, and propane fuels for integration into the fleet. Fuel costs, infrastructure availability and costs, financial saving opportunities, and environmental benefits were considered in all fuel evaluations. Hydrogen, propane, and CNG offer environmental benefits, but analysis of existing infrastructure, economic impacts, and total emissions savings indicate these fuels do not provide the County with enough benefits to justify the cost of their implementation. However, the County may consider integrating these fuels into the fleet in the future, should favorable prices, infrastructure expansion, or technological advancements occur. READ MORE