Conduit Street

New Study Flags 2030 Reliability Risks for PJM

A new study warns that surging data center demand could leave PJM without enough power to reliably meet electricity needs by 2030. A new study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission warns that rapid electricity demand growth, driven largely by data center development, could push the PJM Interconnection outside its reliability standard by 2030. Under the study’s reference case, which uses PJM’s 2026 load forecast, the projected risk of power shortages would be nearly…

Comments Off

September 22, 2026

Economic Development / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning

Nominations Closing Soon for 2027 Sustainable Growth Awards

Maryland communities have until September 30 to nominate local leaders, projects, and policies for statewide recognition through the 2027 Sustainable Growth Awards. The Maryland Department of Planning and Maryland Sustainable Growth Subcabinet are accepting nominations recognizing efforts that advance sustainable growth at the local level. Awards are presented across three categories: Leadership, Project, and Policy. Eligible nominations must highlight local achievements completed, or expected to be completed, between January 2025 and December 2026. State-level programs…

Comments Off

September 16, 2026

Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning

Webinar To Explore How Local Governments Can Turn Comprehensive Plans Into Zoning Action

A comprehensive plan may set a community’s long-term vision, but putting it into practice often comes down to local zoning. An upcoming Maryland Department of Planning webinar will use Chestertown as a case study to explore how local governments can better align zoning regulations with comprehensive planning goals. Implementing Comprehensive Plans Through Zoning: How Local Governments Are Advancing Sustainable Land Use will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 23, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The…

Comments Off

September 16, 2026

Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works

Deep Dive: A Primer on Data Centers

One of the fastest-growing policy issues facing county governments is the rapid expansion of the data center industry. Historically, data centers attracted relatively limited public attention and were often viewed as low-impact components of the broader digital infrastructure. However, as facilities have grown in size, increased in number, and expanded beyond traditional industrial areas, their impacts have become more visible to nearby communities and policymakers. At the same time, the General Assembly has placed increasing…

Comments Off

September 16, 2026

County Budgets / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Finance and Procurement / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

WV Builds Data Center Strategy Around Growth and Local Revenue

West Virginia is pairing incentives for data center development with a statewide plan to distribute new revenue among host counties, infrastructure needs, and tax relief. West Virginia is positioning itself as a major destination for data center development, with state officials announcing two new projects valued at more than $81 billion. The announcements build on a broader push that state leaders say has generated approximately $96 billion in private-sector investment and more than 19,000 projected…

Comments Off

September 8, 2026

County Budgets / County News / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning

Frederick Secures $110M Community Benefits Agreement for Data Center Campus

Frederick County has negotiated more than $110 million in developer-funded community investments tied to the Frederick Digital Campus, along with changes aimed at reducing the impact of the already-approved data center development on surrounding communities. County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced the agreement September 1 with Catellus, the campus’s master developer. Catellus will reduce planned data center development by nearly 20%, cut potable water use by 80% once its reclaimed water system comes online, and preserve…

Comments Off

September 2, 2026

Broadband / County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning

FCC Proposal Could Preempt Local Broadband Permitting Authority

The Federal Communications Commission is considering new rules that could preempt local authority over broadband permitting, including project timelines, fees, and access to public rights-of-way. The FCC is considering new federal standards aimed at speeding up wireline broadband deployment. The proposal includes mandatory timelines for local approvals and potential limits on the fees local governments can charge providers. The National Association of Counties (NACo) is actively engaging with the FCC as the rulemaking moves forward.…

Comments Off

August 26, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Cyber / Elections / Energy / Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Human Resources / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference

Summer MACoCon Is Over but the Conversations Continue

The 2026 Summer MACoCon might be over, but many of the conversations that filled the convention center's halls are ongoing. In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Shantelle Malcolm-Lym is joined by Karrington Anderson and Dominic Butchko to look back at what stood out at MACoCon and, more importantly, what comes next. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in…

Comments Off

August 21, 2026

Energy / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference

Digging in on Data Centers at #MACoCon

Maryland leaders examine the opportunities, infrastructure demands, and local impacts of growing data center development. Data centers are emerging as a major economic development opportunity for Maryland, but their growth also raises important questions around energy demand, infrastructure capacity, land use, water resources, and community impacts. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Senator Ben Brooks moderated a standing room only panel with state, local, industry, and environmental leaders on how Maryland can support this growing…

Comments Off

August 19, 2026

Education / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

Building the Bigger Picture at #MACoCon

County leaders examine how Maryland can plan, finance, and deliver infrastructure that supports growth, affordability, and resilient communities. Infrastructure touches nearly every county priority, from transportation, schools, and water systems to housing, economic development, and environmental resilience. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Senator Karen Lewis Young moderated a discussion with county and state infrastructure leaders on the challenges of planning, financing, and delivering the projects communities rely on, particularly as counties balance limited resources…

Comments Off

August 19, 2026