Powering the Future: What Battery Storage Means for Maryland Counties

Policy debates have focused on energy development, with storage receiving less attention. Looking ahead, storage will play a larger role both on the grid and in future debates. 

Battery storage is becoming an essential component of a modern, reliable, and resilient energy system, and county governments sit at a critical point where policy, infrastructure, and community needs intersect. Properly deployed, storage can help counties reduce peak energy costs, support backup power for emergency operations centers, water and wastewater facilities, and public safety infrastructure, and enable greater use of renewables without compromising reliability. At the same time, storage projects can pose practical challenges for local governments, including land-use and zoning decisions, integration with existing distribution infrastructure, public safety and fire code considerations, and the need for precise state–local coordination as more projects come forward. For counties, the opportunity is substantial — but so is the need for thoughtful planning, local authority, and sustainable funding to ensure storage serves community priorities.

  • Title: Powering the Future: What Battery Storage Means for Maryland Counties
  • Description: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are becoming an important part of Maryland’s energy future—helping store electricity for use when demand is high or when the grid goes down. For counties, this technology could mean lower energy costs, reliable backup power for critical facilities, and lower energy bills for government facilities and residents. Following major 2025 legislation that expanded Maryland’s energy storage framework, counties should expect to see more applications for BESS projects and face new questions about where and how these systems fit into local communities. This session will explain what BESS are, how they work, and what they could mean for counties—from infrastructure planning and land use to emergency response and long-term energy savings. Hear from state experts, county leaders, and industry professionals as they break down this evolving technology and its potential impact on county operations and residents.
  • Speakers:
    • John Borkoski, Senior Commission Advisor, PSC
    • Mario Giovannini, PHI Director, Energy Acquisition, Pepco Holdings
    • James Hunt, Acting Deputy Planning Director, Prince George’s Planning
    • Tom Coe, Fire Chief, Frederick County
  • Moderator:
    • The Honorable David Fraser-Hidalgo, Maryland House of Delegates
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, December 10, 2025; 1:30 pm – 2 pm

The 2025 MACo Winter Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD from December 10-12. This year’s theme is “Local Leadership, Lasting Impact: Shaping What’s Next.” More information can be found on MACo’s conference website.

Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference: