The Electric Slide at #MACoCon

Maryland leaders examine how AI and data center growth is reshaping energy demand, infrastructure, affordability, and local economic development.

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and data centers is creating new economic opportunities while placing significant pressure on Maryland’s energy system, infrastructure, and local communities. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo moderated a discussion with energy, utility, and consumer policy leaders on how rising electric demand could affect energy prices, grid capacity, infrastructure siting, land use, local budgets, and long-term economic development.

  • Ian Ullman, Deputy Director, Maryland Energy Administration spoke about how Maryland’s energy policy and planning can respond to growing data center demand while balancing reliability, infrastructure, and broader state energy goals.
  • Jason M. Stanek, Executive Director of Governmental Services, PJM brought the regional grid perspective to the conversation, discussing how rising data center demand intersects with power supply, reliability, infrastructure, and long-term planning.
  • Mason Emnett, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Constellation Energy discussed how power supply, generation, infrastructure, and public policy intersect as Maryland and the region respond to growing electricity demand from data centers.
  • David S. Lapp, People’s Counsel, Maryland Office of People’s Counsel highlighted the ratepayer perspective, examining how data center growth and rising electricity demand can affect utility costs, infrastructure investment, and residential customers.

Jason Stanek, Executive Director of Governmental Services at @pjminterconnect, is bringing the regional grid perspective to the conversation, discussing how rising data center demand intersects with power supply, reliability, infrastructure, and long-term planning. #MACoCon pic.twitter.com/K3aC8Gf1WR

For counties, the growth of AI and data centers will require continued attention to how energy, infrastructure, affordability, and development pressures intersect at the local level.