GreenBowie News July 2021
Happy 4th of July! As you celebrate this holiday and the summer season, we encourage you to be mindful of your waste and do your best to be sustainable. We have many examples of tips within the newsletter on how to be more sustainable, but for starters here are some easy tips:
- Use reusable water bottles and shopping bags
- Use tupper ware containers when out on trips or at a beach/lake/etc.
- Use an environmentally- friendly brand of sunscreen
- Bike or walk if your destination is within a reasonable distance
- Don't let your water run
- Avoid heavy pesticides and pursue more natural infrastructure
- Leave nothing but your footprints behind at your vacation destinations
"I could never in a hundred summers get tired of this ."
- Susan Branch
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GreenBowie Spotlight
Capital Area Solar Co-Op:
There's still time to Join the Capital Area Solar Co-Op! This is a collaborative effort for jurisdictions in our region to bring the power of solar to anyone interested. The opportunity runs through the end of August 2021.
SOLAR FARM:
It's here! The City of Bowie Solar Farm is operational, but stay tuned for more details on the project. An official opening ceremony will take place in July, after the State of Emergency is fully lifted.
Thank you to Mati Bazurto, Business Operations Manager, John Fitzwater, the previous Assistant City Manager, Kristin Larson, the previous Sustainability Planner and all the others involved for making this project happen!
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S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y
- Register for the upcoming sessions of the Sustainability Webinar Series. July 15 is all about the Prince George's County Audubon Habitat Program (new) and July 24 is a chill weekend session all about the watershed Bowie is a part of. Register for the Audubon Habitat Program here and the Watersheds here.
- Did you know the City has pledged to aim for 50% reductions of emissions by 2030? That's a hefty goal that will take work from all of us to meet. View the Climate Action Plan and see what actions you can take to make every day Earth Day.
- Interested in planting trees on your property? Plant one, on us. Contact Tiffany Wright, the City Watershed Manager, to claim your spot for a free native tree today!
- We have officially launched our City of Bowie Adopt-A-Road program. This program was made possible through a Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant. Please visit the webpage to learn more if you are interested in adopting a road.
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Food Waste & Composting
- Food Waste Program: Do you live in Belair Town II, Victoria Heights, Idlewild, Yorktown, Overbrook, Saddlebrook or Saddlebrook West neighborhoods? If yes, you are eligible for the food waste program! Learn more about this fun and FREE program at www.cityofbowie.org/foodwaste.
- Backyard Compost Bins: an easy and efficient way to compost in your own backyard. Bins are $20 each to City residents and are available for sale at City Hall. Learn more at https://www.cityofbowie.org/1162/20-Backyard-Compost-Bins
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Excess food waste breaking down in landfills creates a lot of gases. Methane to be exact. And methane is one of the greenhouse gases that get caught in our atmosphere, trap sunlight and heat, and contribute to climate change. Because Landfills are a large emitter of methane, we encourage composting to the full extent possible for you/your family.
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Green Bowie Biz
There are now 10 certified Green Bowie Businesses
 Are you a business looking for ways to go green? Know a business that is green and should be certified? Need assistance with furthering your goals of sustainability? You've come to the right place! You can read about all Green Bowie Businesses at www.cityofbowie.org/greenbowiebiz.
The Green Bowie Business program is modeled after the MD Green Registry program. Admission into the state program automatically enrolls you into the City program and helps you access resources from both. Learn about the MD Green Registry here.
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Recipe of the Month
Where we give you a plant-based recipe to help your health and the environment!
Blueberry Crumble
You will need:
FOR THE FILLING
24 ounces (about 2 pints) fresh blueberries. You can also use frozen, but will need to run them under warm water to bring to temperature. I did this and it was perfect.
3 tablespoons sugar (Optional: 1 teaspoon of cinnamon)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or use water
Pinch fine sea salt
FOR THE CRUMBLE TOPPING
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (optional: vanilla protein powder)
1/2 cup sugar, try combining 1/4 cup brown sugar + 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick) or substitute 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add blueberries, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of flour, sugar, and pinch of salt to a 9-inch pie dish (or use a 2-quart baking dish). Toss well until combined. Optional, add cinnamon!
Combine flour, oats, sugar, and the salt in a medium bowl. Give a quick stir.
Add the melted butter (I used a melted stick) then stir to combine until all the flour has been moistened by the butter and topping is crumbly.
Place the topping onto the berry mixture, coating well.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Serve with whipped topping, ice cream, or other fresh fruits. This recipe was adapted from here.
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Interested in Becoming a Volunteer?
The next Green Team Executive Committee virtual meeting is
July 19, 2021.
Please visit www.cityofbowie.org to check the City calendar and find the meeting link, as all City Committee meetings are being conducted via Microsoft Teams right now.
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Other Incentives
Interested in Community Solar?
Having solar panels on your home is not the only option for obtaining residential solar! By subscribing to a Maryland based community solar farm a customer is allotted a specified percentage of the entire farm’s electricity output each month, which the customer agrees to purchase from the supplier at a price that is typically 5%-25% below the rate the utility charges. That percentage of the overall output is then converted into a dollar amount which is calculated at the current rate that the utility charges their residential customers. That dollar amount is then reflected on the customer’s utility bill in the form of a credit.
Links to companies with community solar projects under development in Maryland are below:
Arcadia Power
CleanChoice Energy
Groundswell
Neighborhood Sun
Solar United Neighbors of Maryland (SUN MD)
Municipal Collaboration for Home Weatherization Upgrades:
Washington Gas Customers Can Now Get Up to $400 in Rebates at Your Favorite Home Improvement Retailer
Washington Gas is here to make your home more energy efficient and your equipment shopping experience more affordable. As of April 2021, Maryland residential Washington Gas customers can receive rebates on qualifying natural gas water heaters and dryers at our approved retailers. Retail associates at these stores are trained and ready to help you find the right appliance for your home. Be sure to look out for Washington Gas signage highlighting these rebates in these stores! Customers can save up to $400 on natural gas water heaters and $75 on natural gas dryers.
Qualifying ENERGY STAR certified natural gas water heaters are ALSO eligible for a $300 federal tax credit! Visit the ENERGY STAR website for more information. Montgomery County residents can also receive a $250 Montgomery County Energy Efficiency tax credit. That means you could save up to $950!
Participation is easy! To qualify for a rebate:
- Purchase qualifying equipment in store at an approved retailer.
- Work with an installation service professional through an approved retailer or with an EmPOWER Contractor to have the equipment installed.
- Apply for your rebate online through the Retail Application website.
- Receive a rebate check within 6-8 weeks of completed application.
Click here to get started on your path to energy savings.
To learn more about eligible equipment and the application process, please call our Application Processing Center at 1-833-286-0860.
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