Read more about the article PJM Projects Heat Wave to Place Record Stress on Grid
Energy / Environment / Transportation and Public Works
PJM Projects Heat Wave to Place Record Stress on Grid

PJM warns that heat wave will likely place historic stress on grid infrastructure.   A major heat wave across the eastern United States is expected to place significant strain on the PJM Interconnection, the regional electric grid that serves Maryland and 12 other states. PJM has issued a hot weather alert as temperatures rise and electricity use increases, particularly from air conditioning. Demand could approach or exceed historic levels, raising concerns about grid reliability, short-term…

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June 30, 2026
Read more about the article Pennsylvania Moves to Repeal Data Center Incentives
Energy / Environment / Transportation and Public Works
Pennsylvania Moves to Repeal Data Center Incentives

Citing concerns from local communities and shifting economic, lawmakers in Harrisburg move to end data center incentives.  As data center controversy and opposition grows nationally, lawmakers in Pennsylvania's politically divided General Assembly vote overwhelmingly to repeal incentive programs meant to engage their growth.  Both the Democratically controlled House and the Republican controlled Senate recently advanced legislation which would end the state’s Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program. The program previously provided hundreds of millions worth…

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June 30, 2026
Read more about the article FT: Exelon CEO Warns of Blackouts as Energy Demand Grows
Energy / Environment / Transportation and Public Works
FT: Exelon CEO Warns of Blackouts as Energy Demand Grows

As energy demand outpaces new generation, utility leaders warn of dire consequences within the coming years.  Exelon Chief Executive Officer Calvin Butler recently warned in an interview with the Financial Times that Americans may face blackouts as soon as 2027. Energy demand is dramatically outpacing the capacity of existing grid infrastructure and our the ability to get new forms of generations online. One of the biggest contributors to the added strain has been the development…

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June 30, 2026
Read more about the article States Explore Relaxing Building Codes to Help Housing Affordability
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference
States Explore Relaxing Building Codes to Help Housing Affordability

As housing affordability continues to be a national issue, states are export how certain building may be relaxed in the name of affordability.  States and local governments are increasingly looking at building and fire code changes as one way to lower construction costs and make smaller multifamily projects more feasible. Some of the most debated proposals involve allowing certain apartment buildings to be built with a single stairway, easing elevator requirements, pausing code update cycles,…

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June 30, 2026
Read more about the article Data Centers in Maryland: Opportunity, Pressure, and Policy 
Energy / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works
Data Centers in Maryland: Opportunity, Pressure, and Policy 

Data centers are a growing and complex issues, policymakers need to make decisions about balancing energy, growth, and environmental concerns.  Regulating data centers presents a difficult balancing act for counties. While these facilities can bring significant investment and economic development opportunities, they also raise complex local concerns around energy demand, infrastructure capacity, environmental impacts, and community compatibility. Counties are often on the front lines of managing these impacts, but many of the key decisions are…

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June 29, 2026
Read more about the article Judge Quashes Frederick Data Center Referendum Petition
Energy / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Judge Quashes Frederick Data Center Referendum Petition

A state judge ruled against a petition seeking to put Frederick County's data center ordinance to a referendum. Last week, a state judge ruled against a petition seeking to put Frederick County’s newly enacted data center ordinance before voters in a public referendum. The dispute centers on broader concerns about data center development and its potential impacts on the surrounding community. County officials spent months studying data center growth nationally, with particular attention to neighboring…

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June 24, 2026
Read more about the article Two of Three Garrett Commissioner Races Remain Too Close To Call
Elections
Two of Three Garrett Commissioner Races Remain Too Close To Call

Districts 1 and 3 remain too close to call, while Commissioner Paul Edwards will face no challengers in November's General Election.  District 1 – Incumbent S. Larry Tichnell (R) leads challenger Andrew "Harv" Harvey. The winner will face Jeff Hovis (D) in November. District 2 – Incumbent Paul Edwards (R) faced no challenger and no Democratic candidates filed to run in this race during Tuesday's primary election. He will be unopposed in November. District 3…

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June 24, 2026
Read more about the article 6 of 7 Districts Settled In Worcester Commissioners Race
Elections
6 of 7 Districts Settled In Worcester Commissioners Race

Districts 5 remain too close to call, while all others are set for November General Election.  District 1 – Incumbent Caryn Abbott (R) beat challengers Laura Gladding Morrison and Shaun W. Shockley. No Democratic candidates filed to run in this race during Tuesday's primary election. District 2 – Roxie V. Dennis (D) beat incumbent Diana Purnell. No Republican candidates filed to run in this race during Tuesday's primary election. District 3 –Incumbent Eric Fiori (R)…

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June 24, 2026
Read more about the article Some At-Large Seats Remain Too Close To Call in Montgomery Council Primary
Elections
Some At-Large Seats Remain Too Close To Call in Montgomery Council Primary

Two of the four at-large seats remain too close to call, but all seven District races look set for November.  At-Large Seats In an incredibly crowded 17 way field for four at-large seats on the Montgomery County Council, current County Executive Marc Elrich and incumbent Council Member Laurie-Ann Sayles hold commanding leads and seem likely to move to the November General Election. The other two seats remain too close to call with Scott Evan Goldberg,…

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June 24, 2026
Read more about the article Jawando Holds Lead in Montgomery County Executive Primary
Elections
Jawando Holds Lead in Montgomery County Executive Primary

Council Member Will Jawanda leads in the democratic race, winner will face Republican Esther Wells in November.  The Montgomery County Executive primary race was contested by both the democratic and republican parties. In the 5-person race for the Democratic nomination Will Jawando currently leads Andrew Friedson, Evan Glass, Mithun Banerjee, and Peter James. In the Republican primary Esther Wells beat Shelly Skolnick, winning their parties nomination. Incumbent Marc Elrich was term limited and could not…

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June 24, 2026
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