With 80 out of 84 initiatives currently in progress, Montgomery County aims to achieve an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2027, while also investing in electric vehicles and advanced weather-monitoring technology.
Montgomery County, Maryland, is taking important steps to address climate change proactively.
The county’s 2025 Clean Action Plan highlights that work has commenced on 80 out of the 84 actions outlined in the plan.
County Executive Marc Elrich noted several achievements, including the planting of 5,000 trees, the introduction of free transit services on Ride On buses to reduce emissions, and the implementation of new regulations to enhance energy efficiency in buildings.
The report indicates that public schools play a pivotal role in improving energy efficiency. Notably, twelve schools have received the state’s Maryland Green Schools designation, while 113 schools are certified as green schools.
Homeowners are also contributing to the county’s climate initiatives, with 315 households installing solar energy systems.
Looking ahead to the next fiscal year, Elrich announced plans to transition up to 25% of the Ride On fleet to emission-free vehicles, expand the Bus Rapid Transit service, and enhance the infrastructure for electric vehicles.
This initiative aligns with the county’s ambitious goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2027 and achieving a complete reduction by 2035.
However, the county faces challenges in reaching these targets, particularly with the anticipated decline in federal funding for greenhouse gas reduction efforts. According to the report, the county secured over $58 million in grants related to climate change within the last year.
Additionally, Montgomery County has introduced a third Mesonet weather station, which is a solar-powered and automated system designed to collect and transmit weather data. This system provides real-time information, allowing emergency management officials to respond more effectively during severe weather events, as well as contributing to climate change research.
The Maryland Mesonet mission, supported by the University of Maryland in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, focuses on managing a statewide network of weather-monitoring and data collection systems. The latest Mesonet station has been installed at the National Capital Trolley Museum in Cloverly.
The first tower in this network was established in 2023.
