2024 MACo Fall Symposium
21st Century Energy: Discussions on Maryland’s Renewable Energy Future
Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Newton White Mansion 2708 Enterprise Rd, Mitchellville, MD 20721
Attire: Business Casual
Description:
In recent years, the mounting threat of climate change has pushed Annapolis policymakers to adopt aggressive measures aimed at accelerating Maryland’s shift to 100% renewable energy. Simultaneously, they’ve pursued ambitious conservation and preservation goals to safeguard the state’s natural resources. These overlapping, and sometimes conflicting, policies have placed significant pressure on local leaders and communities. This symposium will bring together experts to explore the core principles of renewable energy policy, tackle the challenges faced by state and county policymakers, and chart a course toward more harmonious progress as Maryland addresses the climate crisis.
Agenda
| 9:30 am – 9:45 am | Check-in and Coffee |
| 9:45 am – 10:00 am | Welcome and Introductions |
| 10:00 am – 11:00 am | Back to Basics: Foundations of Renewable Energy |
| Recent discussions in Annapolis on renewable energy have heavily focused on solar power, but the renewable energy landscape is vast, offering diverse options suited to various climates and terrains. This session will lay the foundation for the entire symposium, providing a comprehensive overview of the basic concepts of renewable energy. | |
| 11:00 am – 11:15 am | Break |
| 11:15 am – 12:15 pm | Solar Solutions: A Peak at Legislation on the Horizon |
| For years, stakeholders in Annapolis have wrestled with solutions to address the biggest challenges surrounding renewable energy. The 2024 legislative session began with high hopes but ended without a resolution. Since then, key stakeholders have been developing a legislation that acknowledges Maryland’s competing goals and paves the way for achieving them. Join us to hear directly from the people in the room as they reveal what’s shaping up to be the brightest bill of 2025. | |
| 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm | LUNCH BUFFET |
| 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm | Two Things Can Be True at Once: Balancing Maryland’s Climate Goals |
| Maryland is a small state with big goals. A key challenge for implementers is balancing the state’s strong commitment to conservation and preservation with the demands of development, renewable energy initiatives or otherwise. Achieving these goals will require collaboration, compromise, and innovation among stakeholders. This session will delve into the complexities and opportunities of navigating Maryland’s intersecting policies. | |
| 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm | More Than Producing Electrons: A Look at Foundational Energy Infrastructure |
| While generating new power is crucial to Maryland’s transition to 100% renewable energy, other critical pieces of the energy puzzle demand attention. Issues like battery storage, data centers, EV charging infrastructure, rising demand, and transmission are just a few of the challenges that must be tackled. This session will dive into these often overlooked, yet vital, aspects of the energy landscape, exploring the less obvious hurdles that need to be addressed for a successful transition. | |
| 3:00 pm | Adjournment |
Space is limited, so register ASAP!
| ATTENDEE REGISTRATION RATES: (Includes access to the symposium and lunch for 1 person)
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Have questions about the symposium? Contact vwhite@mdcounties.org.
INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING?
MACo is offering a limited number of tabletop exhibits for $300 each, which includes a 6′ table, 2 chairs, and attendance/lunch for 2 representatives. Solar companies who would like to exhibit should contact reginabz@mdcounties.org.
Interested in sponsoring the symposium and speaking to the attendees? Contact reginabz@mdcounties.org.
