Maryland Geothermal Residential Affidavit (Partners)

In 2012, Maryland became the first state in the country to make the energy generated by GHC technologies eligible for the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) as a Tier 1 renewable source (HB 1186). GHC system owners are also eligible for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), equivalent to 1 MegaWatt-hour (MWh) of electricity.

As part of the application process, residential geothermal system owners will need to submit a Geothermal Residential Affidavit after filling out the Geothermal Intake Form with Carbon Solutions Group. 

Here's what you need to know as a partner installer. 

What codes does the system owner attest to in this document?

AFFIDAVIT OF RESIDENTIAL GENERAL COMPLIANCE

1. The geothermal system meets or exceeds the current federal Energy Star product specification standards.

2. The geothermal system replaces or displaces inefficient space cooling systems that do not meet federal Energy Star product specification standards.

3. The Applicant is in compliance with all applicable environmental and administrative requirements as specified under Section 7-704 of the Public Utilities Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

4. The Applicant acknowledges that any change in compliance status constitutes a change of information, notice of which Applicant is required by COMAR 20.61.02.03B to file with the Commission within 30 days. 

5. The Applicant agrees to comply with all applicable federal and state environmental laws and regulations, Section 7-701 et seq. of the Public Utility Companies Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Subtitle 20.61 of the Maryland Code of Regulations, and any additional legal requirements of the Maryland Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Program.

What codes does the partner installer attest to in this document?

1. Environmental Regulations: All systems must meet environmental regulations, including air quality, water quality, solid waste, and right–to–know provisions, permit conditions, and administrative orders.

2. System Qualifications: The system meets the definition set forth by the Section 7-701 et seq. of the Public Utility Companies Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland: 

(1) exchanges thermal energy from groundwater or a shallow ground source to generate thermal energy through a geothermal heat pump or a system of geothermal heat pumps interconnected with any geothermal system that is:

(i) a closed loop or a series of closed loop systems in which fluid is permanently confined within a pipe or tubing and does not come in contact with the outside environment  or

(ii) an open loop system in which ground or surface water is circulated in an environmentally safe manner directly into the facility and returned to the same aquifer or surface water source;

(2) meets or exceeds the current federal Energy Star product specification standards;

(3) replaces or displaces inefficient space or water heating systems whose primary fuel is electricity or a nonnatural gas fuel source;

(4) replaces or displaces inefficient space cooling systems that do not meet federal Energy Star product specification standards;

(5) is manufactured, installed, and operated in accordance with applicable government and industry standards;  and

(6) does not feed electricity back to the grid.

3. MES Compliance with Article - Public Utilities §7-704(h)(6): A post–2022 geothermal system with a 360,000 BTU capacity is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard only if the company installing the system provides for its employees:

• family–sustaining wages
• employer–provided health care with affordable deductibles and co–pays
• career advancement training
• fair scheduling
• employer–paid workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance
• a retirement plan
• paid time off
• and the right to bargain collectively for wages and benefits

As part of the career advancement training, you'll also need to ensure that a minimum of 10% of the employees working on the installation are enrolled in an apprenticeship program approved by and registered with the State or the federal government.

4. Up to Date with Maryland's Renewable Portfolio Standard: Up to date compliance measures can be found in Public Utilities §7-701.

We appreciate the

opportunity to work with you.

Carbon Solutions Group

Contact Information

Phone: 888-316-GREC

Email: [e-mail]