Sustain Our Future Foundation Launches the Regenerative Communities Maryland Project to Boost Homeowner Resilience and Energy Efficiency Statewide

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March 7, 2025

Sustain Our Future Foundation (SOFF) announces the launch of the Regenerative Communities Maryland Project, made possible through a $2 million dollar Maryland Energy Administration Energy Efficiency Equity Award. In collaboration with Lumeco Energy, this initiative will provide whole-home electrification and weatherization services to households with high energy burdens and limited access to efficient heating and cooling solutions. Additionally, the project will offer vital workforce development opportunities for students from Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), widening access to the field of sustainability.

This initiative aims to transform 133 Maryland homes in Baltimore City and surrounding areas currently dependent on outdated, high-cost oil or propane heating systems, or struggling with inadequate cooling and severe air leaks. Through high-efficiency electric heat pumps and comprehensive home weatherization, SOFF seeks to significantly reduce energy costs and enhance the health, comfort, and resilience of these households.

“Equipping middle and working-class communities with the tools for energy independence and a sustainable future is a step towards bringing the benefits of clean, affordable energy to more people across the state,” says Naadiya Hutchinson, Program Director at SOFF. “This project is about more than just home upgrades; it’s about empowering people to take control of their energy needs and build a greener future for themselves and their communities.”

A unique component of the Regenerative Communities Maryland Project is its commitment to building local talent and leadership in sustainability, especially among students at Morgan State University and Bowie State University. SOFF will offer paid seasonal internship placements to these HBCU students, equipping them with hands-on experience, leadership training, and access to a network of industry experts. SOFF will also host educational webinars and community engagement events designed to empower local visions for expanding access to clean energy, led by those most impacted.

"This program is a wonderful opportunity for the Maryland community because of its intention to empower communities through energy efficiency projects while offering valuable work and learning opportunities for HBCU students in the area,” said Iyana Gross, 2024 Sustainable Justice HBCU Fellow and alum of Morgan State University. “SOFF has done an excellent job of ensuring that their initiatives directly support and benefit HBCUs and communities that they serve.”

The program will be iteratively informed by a Community Advisory Council, composed of experts from community-based organizations and institutions to ensure the strategy remains attuned to the needs identified on the ground.

“Heating oil and propane pose health and safety risks for homeowners in the communities we serve, not to mention their high costs. Electrification offers a pathway to addressing these concerns,” says Damola Ademiluyi, President of Lumeco Energy. “In partnership with SOFF and with support from the MEA, we can realize our regenerative efforts without placing any financial burden on working families.”

For more information about the Regenerative Communities Maryland Project, please contact the Sustain Our Future Foundation team at communities@sustainourfuture.org or visit sustainourfuture.org.

About Sustain Our Future Foundation

Sustain Our Future Foundation (SOFF) is a national not-for-profit organization that collaborates with renewable energy buyers and developers to deepen the impact of sustainable infrastructure projects by ensuring that local communities' priorities are part of the planning, siting, and development phases of the projects. Our goal is to promote economic development, community partnership, local self-determination, and environmental health for all communities