Dominic Butchko, Author at Conduit Street

FERC Pushes PJM Governance Reforms Amid Data Center Growth

Federal regulators call for governance reforms at PJM as data center demand, rising costs, and reliability concerns place pressure on regional electric grid. Federal regulators are pressing PJM Interconnection to overhaul its governance and decision-making process as rapid data center growth, limited new generation, and rising capacity prices strain the regional power market. Proposed reforms include strengthening the independence of PJM’s board, reducing the ability of industry sectors to block action, and replacing the current…

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July 28, 2026

Environment / Transportation and Public Works

Proposed Clean Water Changes Spell Trouble for Maryland

Proposed Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) changes spell trouble for Maryland state and local governments. A bipartisan Senate proposal would replace the decades-old formula used to distribute federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund dollars with a system based on current infrastructure needs, population, and poverty levels. The program provides low-interest loans and grants for sewer repairs, wastewater treatment upgrades, stormwater projects, and other water-quality improvements. The revised formula would increase funding for many fast-growing…

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July 28, 2026

Housing and Community Development / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

Cement Tariffs Increase Costs to Produce Housing and Infrastructure

New proposed tariffs on Canadian cement and concrete will likely increase costs to produce housing and infrastructure. New tariffs on Canadian imports could significantly increase the cost of cement and concrete used in highways, bridges, foundations, multifamily developments, and other major construction projects. Contractors may face outdated cost estimates, higher bids, project delays, reduced scopes, and disputes over whether owners or builders are responsible for unexpected price increases. Rising material prices add further pressure to…

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July 27, 2026

Agriculture / Economic Development / Environment / Health and Human Services / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

PFAS in Rural Maryland at #MACoCon

Hear how PFAS contamination poses growing public health and financial risks for rural counties and the communities they serve. PFAS contamination is a serious concern for rural counties because many residents rely on private wells and small water systems that may have limited capacity to detect, treat, or remove these persistent chemicals. Contamination can also affect agricultural soils, livestock, crops, and irrigation water, creating potential risks for the food supply and significant economic consequences for…

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July 27, 2026

Energy / Environment / Transportation and Public Works

Data Center Growth Raises Energy and Water Concerns

Expanding data center development is increasing electricity and water demand, prompting new state and county concerns. The Kansas Health Institute recently released a report outlining how rapid data center growth is expected to place increasing pressure on energy and water resources. U.S. data centers consumed about 183 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, representing more than 4% of national electricity use, and demand could rise by roughly 133% to 426 terawatt-hours by 2030. Their direct water…

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July 22, 2026

Environment

Wildfire Smoke Could Affect Chesapeake Bay Health

Wildfire smoke carries airborne pollutants into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, potentially adding nutrients and other contaminants to local waterways. Smoke from Canadian wildfires can affect both air quality and environmental conditions across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Airborne pollutants, including nitrogen, may travel long distances before settling on land or washing into waterways, where excess nutrients can contribute to algae growth and low-oxygen conditions in the Bay. The full effect of individual wildfire events on the…

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July 22, 2026

Summer Conference

Submit Your Questions for the #MACoCon Statewide Candidate Forum

Don’t miss your opportunity to submit questions for the Statewide Candidate Forum at the MACo Summer Conference. MACo is inviting the Democratic and Republican nominees for governor, comptroller, and attorney general to participate in a candidate forum to close out the 2026 Summer Conference. Conference participants will have a unique opportunity to hear directly from the candidates on issues that matter most to county governments. Conference registrants are invited to submit questions to be asked…

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July 22, 2026

Energy

Data Center Demand Drives Higher PJM Capacity Costs

Rising data center electricity demand is increasing PJM capacity costs and prompting new proposals for managing large energy users. Monitoring Analytics, PJM Interconnection's independent market monitor, estimates that data center demand accounted for an estimated $6.3 billion, or 38%, of the costs from PJM’s latest capacity auction. Across the grid operator’s last four auctions, data center-related charges totaled about $29.4 billion, increasing capacity, energy, and transmission costs for customers throughout the region. Several proposals under…

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July 21, 2026

Energy / Environment / Summer Conference

Amid Energy Crisis, Federal Regulators Examine PJM Operations

Federal regulators are reviewing PJM operations amid rising electricity demand and reliability concerns. PJM’s latest capacity auction secured nearly 7 gigawatts less generation than its reliability target and attracted only about 500 megawatts of new supply, adding to concerns about the region’s ability to meet growing electricity demand. Federal regulators are examining changes to PJM’s governance and stakeholder process to improve transparency, accelerate decision-making, and support timely investment in new generation and transmission. According to…

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July 21, 2026

Emergency Management / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

From Risk to Resilience: Local Tools for a Stronger Maryland

Explore how Maryland counties can align resilience planning, financing, and technical support to turn climate goals into projects that protect communities. Resiliency planning is essential for helping counties prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies while strengthening the infrastructure and systems communities rely on every day. By bringing elements of emergency planning and public works together, counties can better identify vulnerabilities, coordinate resources, and design projects that reduce risks before disasters occur. This collaborative…

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July 21, 2026