County Leaders Dig Into Energy Policy, Challenges

This week, MACo hosted its annual fall symposium – a full day discussion on a top issue facing county governments.

People at round tables for educational event on renewable energyThis year’s topic, “21st Century Energy: Discussions on Maryland’s Renewable Energy Future,” brought scores of county leaders from across the state to Prince George’s County for a day-long dig into the many challenges facing Maryland for growing energy capacity, siting clean energy sites, transmission projects, and placement of new high-demand data centers.

Counties generally guide the “look and feel” of their communities, but energy infrastructure is in many ways an exception to that – where State preemption on generation siting for power plants has been extended into a new wave of dispersed generation facilities like solar. Meanwhile, spikes in energy demand on the electrical grid advance the need for transport across regions – meaning high capacity transmission system across Maryland (and other states), also without conventional local input and guidance. While these power supply and use issues are generally hashed out by policymakers at higher levels, the practical effects of these facilities land in the community, where local leaders are the ones most answerable to resident concerns.

MACo’s symposium brought stakeholders from the energy generation industry, from the multi-state oversight body on transmission systems, and from the new wave of high-need users who are part of an information-based economy… all to talk through these challenging issues, and to field questions from county elected officials and professional practitioners.

Sessions included a look at the foundations of renewable energy, a preview of proposed solar-focused legislation for the 2025 Session, a review of Maryland’s climate goals (and the complexities and opportunities they present), and a discussion of energy infrastructure (view the full agenda).

A big “thank you,” to Lead Sponsor Constellation, Beverage Sponsor Power Partnership, and Table Sponsor Schneider Electric for their support and participation!

Read more Energy coverage on Conduit Street.

Interested in renewable energy issues, particularly solar? Then you won’t want to miss MACo’s Winter Conference opening session, “Powering Maryland: A Roundtable on the State’s Energy Landscape,” on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Read more about it in the conference registration brochure.

Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference: