Sec. 18A-7. Subcommittees.

   The chair may, with the approval of the Committee, appoint subcommittees from among its members to assist in carrying out any function of the Committee. Any subcommittee so appointed must consist of not less than 3 members. Subcommittee action is not the action of the Committee and does not bind the Committee or its members. (1976 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1; 1977 L.M.C., ch. 5, § 3; 1995 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 1.)

Sec. 18A-8. Duties and responsibilities.

   The Committee has the following duties:

   (a)   Advise the Executive and the Council of the activities of the Committee in furthering the purpose of this Chapter and Chapter 3;

   (b)   Comment on or assist in developing recommendations to promote and implement immediate and long-range policies and programs aimed at meeting the County’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals;

   (c)   Comment on or assist in developing recommendations to promote and implement immediate and long-range policies and programs to promote cleaner, more efficient, and more reliable energy use and practice in all segments of the community;

   (d)   Comment on or assist in developing programs to meet air quality standards and to promote healthy indoor and outdoor air quality;

   (e)   Identify areas and methods to encourage voluntary participation in climate-related efforts, energy conservation efforts and air quality improvements;

   (f)   Identify and recommend innovative programs, policies, and technologies to improve climate and air quality for the Executive, the Council, and the public to implement;

   (g)   Recommend the development of educational programs and materials to educate the public and private sectors about the efficient use of energy and its direct benefits for improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and

   (h)   Carry out duties assigned from time to time by the Executive and the Council to assist in fulfilling the purposes of this Article. (1976 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1; 1995 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 1; 2008 L.M.C., ch. 6, § 1; 2008 L.M.C., § 1; 2020 L.M.C., ch. 21, §1; 2021 L.M.C., ch. 26, § 1.)

   Editor’s note—2020 L.M.C., ch. 21, § 2, states: Transition. A member of the Committee serving when this Act takes effect continues as a member for the remainder of his or her term of office.

Sec. 18A-8A. Advocacy.

   The Committee must not engage in any advocacy activity at the State or federal levels unless that activity is approved by the Office of Intergovernmental Relations. (2016 L.M.C., ch. 15, § 1.)

Sec. 18A-9. Interagency Group on Energy and Utility Management-Establishment; membership; meetings.

   (a)   The County Executive must establish an Interagency Group on Energy and Utility Management to coordinate County government energy conservation efforts, promote energy efficiency, share information, provide technical assistance, and cooperate on planning and implementing energy conservation measures.

   (b)   Each County or bicounty agency with substantial utility budgets or energy conservation capital projects, including executive departments and offices, the Board of Education, Montgomery College, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Housing Opportunities Commission, and the County Council, should designate a liaison to the Group. The Executive must select a senior officer or employee of the executive branch to facilitate the Group's operation.

   (c)   The Group must meet as frequently as necessary to perform its duties.

   (d)   The Group has the following duties:

      (1)   establish uniform utility unit costs for County operating budget purposes;

      (2)   prepare agency resource conservation plans annually, describing current and anticipated energy conservation programs with actual and projected energy and cost savings;

      (3)   advise the Executive and Council on energy conservation goals, cost savings, and new technologies. (1995 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 1.)

Sec. 18A-10. Administrative arrangements; support and organizational duties and functions of county government.

   (a)    The County Executive must designate a senior officer or employee of the executive branch of County government to provide executive direction to the performance of the functions and responsibilities delineated in this Article and to report annually to the Executive and Council on the activities undertaken to further the goals of this Article.

   (b)    The County Executive may also establish organizational and administrative arrangements as appropriate to promote the policies and purposes of this Article, including the following functions:

      (1)   Update the energy policy and work program as necessary;

      (2)   Formulate policies, plans and programs, including necessary legislative proposals, for recommendation to the County Executive and County Council designed to promote energy conservation in the County;

      (3)   Coordinate with other interested parties in the development and implementation of energy conservation activities;

      (4)   Recommend methods for the coordination of energy saving efforts in the public and private sectors;

      (5)   Assemble and disseminate information concerning energy conservation for use by the government, the private sector and the general public;

      (6)   Develop and promote activities and programs designed to foster public awareness of the need for and the means to achieve cost-effective energy conservation. (1976 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1; 1995 L.M.C., ch. 24, § 1; 2008 L.M.C., ch. 6, § 1; 2008 L.M.C., ch. 9, § 1.)

   Note-Formerly, § 18A-9.