The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has lanuched the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Kathleen A. P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program. A total of $175,000 dollars funding is available in this competitive program now in its seventh year. Named after the late Kathy Mathias, one of the Eastern Shore's leading advocates and the wife of Maryland State Senator James N. Mathias, the program began in 2012.

"Agriculture is Maryland's largest industry and the Mathias program, along with our Animal Waste-to-Energy program is designed to spur energy innovation in this specific segment of the State's economy," said Mary Beth Tung, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration.

Subject to funding availability, MEA will provide grants on a competitive basis to farms/businesses in the agriculture sector to cover up to 50% of the cost of eligible energy efficiency upgrades, if applicable, after all other incentives have been applied. Projects must be cost effective, with a total simple payback 15 years or less. Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 16, 2018.

Covering nearly two million acres, agriculture is the State's single largest use of land. Maryland's more than 12,000 farms play a key role in the State's economy. Approximately 350,000 people are employed in some aspect of agriculture, making it Maryland's largest commercial industry. The vast majority of Maryland farms are operated by full-owners who reside on property and are considered "family farms." The agriculture industry is energy intensive from not only an electricity stance, farms also rely heavily on fuels such as propane, diesel fuel, and natural gas.

Maryland Energy Administration energy.maryland.gov