Energy Archives

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

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

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

Energy / Environment / Transportation and Public Works

National Grid Generated Record Breaking Output During Heatwave

During the heat wave earlier this month, the national electric grid generated a historic 100,996 gigwatt-hours, reaching 20 percent higher than average demand. U.S. electric output hit an all-time high earlier this month, surpassing 100,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) for the first time ever, according to data released today by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). Output for the week of June 28-July 4, 2026, reached 100,996 GWh, breaking the previous record of 99,445 GWh set nearly…

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July 14, 2026

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

Green Banks Unlock New Investment for Local Infrastructure #MACoCon

Green banks could help counties bundle resilience projects, attract institutional investment, and expand funding for critical local infrastructure. Counties, particular smaller and more rural jurisdictions, often struggle to finance resilience, energy, and green infrastructure projects because smaller individual projects are generally too fragmented to attract pension funds, insurance companies, and other large institutional investors. Although these investors control significant amounts of capital and seek stable, long-term returns, they typically lack an efficient way to evaluate…

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July 13, 2026

Energy / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

The Electric Slide – AI, Data Centers, and Counties #MACoCon

Explore how AI and data center growth is reshaping energy demand, infrastructure, affordability, land use, and economic development for Maryland counties. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and data centers presents important opportunities and challenges for counties. These facilities can support economic development and expand the local tax base, but they also create significant demands on critical infrastructure. Counties must balance competing considerations to ensure development occurs responsibly and that surrounding communities share in the…

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July 13, 2026

Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Information Technology

Special Edition: The Briefing Room Talks Data Centers, Fact vs. Fiction

Instead of this week's regular Conduit Street Podcast, we're bringing you a bonus episode of The Briefing Room in response to a high-interest topic from our recent energy series. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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July 10, 2026

Energy / Summer Conference

How Do You Build Your Own Supply Stack?

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by WGL Energy Services! About WGL Energy Services: For over 25 years, WGL Energy has been supplying energy to power homes, small businesses, and large enterprises across the Mid-Atlantic region. Whether it’s electricity, natural gas, or renewable energy options, we’ve got you covered. Our commitment to competitive prices and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction sets us apart. https://www.wglenergy.com/s/ SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE SESSION: Title: How…

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July 6, 2026

Energy / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

Moore Admin. Urges Feds To Drop Utility Fees as Energy Prices Rise

Governor Moore, along with the PSC and OPC, filed a complaint with FERC to end unfair surcharges costing Maryland ratepayers tens of millions of dollars. Last week, Governor Wes Moore joined by the Public Service Commission and Office of People’s Counsel in filing a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to end an unfair surcharge costing Maryland ratepayers tens of millions of dollars. The General Assembly passed the Utility RELIEF Act in the…

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July 6, 2026