Dominic Butchko, Author at Conduit Street

Exelon Cuts Data Center Demand Forecast After Stricter Review

Exelon sharply reduced its projected data center demand after applying stronger financial and contractual standards. Exelon reduced its estimate of highly probable data center demand from 18 GW to approximately 11 GW after applying stricter financial and contractual standards to proposed projects. The company’s broader data center interconnection pipeline also declined from about 43 GW to 25 GW, indicating that a significant portion of previously proposed demand may have been speculative or insufficiently developed. Transmission…

Comments Off

August 3, 2026

Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

Moving at the Speed of Need: Permitting for Maryland’s Future

Hear how the state and counties are working to improve permitting in Maryland. The pressure on counties to perfect permit review continues to grow as counties work to meet rising constituent expectations for housing, infrastructure, affordability, and responsive government services. Clear requirements, predictable timelines, and strong coordination across agencies can reduce delays, provide more certainty, and help projects move forward faster. At the same time, counties must carefully balance a complex mix of federal, state,…

Comments Off

August 3, 2026

Emergency Management / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

From Risk to Resilience: Local Tools for a Stronger Maryland

Hear how coordinating DPWs with emergency management can strengthen response and protect critical infrastructure. Resilience planning helps counties prepare for disruptions, protect critical infrastructure, and maintain essential services. By coordinating various aspects of core operation (i.e. public works and emergency management), counties can identify vulnerabilities, strengthen infrastructure, and improve how resources are deployed before, during, and after a disaster. This approach supports faster recovery, reduces long-term costs, and helps communities remain safe and operational under…

Comments Off

August 3, 2026

Environment / Transportation and Public Works

EPA Study Finds Municipal Waste Incineration Can Destroy Most PFAS

EPA testing found that high-temperature municipal waste combustion destroyed or removed approximately 98% of measured PFAS-related compounds. EPA testing at a Florida municipal waste-to-energy facility found that the combustion process destroyed or removed approximately 98% of the PFAS-related compounds used in the study. The facility operates above 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and researchers estimated that its remaining annual PFAS air emissions were relatively low, including minimal PFOA and no detected PFOS. The results suggest municipal waste…

Comments Off

July 29, 2026

Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Transportation and Public Works

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…

Comments Off

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…

Comments Off

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…

Comments Off

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…

Comments Off

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…

Comments Off

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…

Comments Off

July 22, 2026