Environment Archives

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

County Budgets / County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Taxes and Revenues

Conduit Street Podcast: From Maryland to Missouri, County Issues Align

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson is joined by Steve Hobbs, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Counties, for a conversation on the issues shaping county government across state lines. 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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June 26, 2026

County News / Education / Environment / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / Risk Management / Transportation and Public Works

Baltimore County Launches Sustainability Leadership Coalition

Baltimore County has launched a new Sustainability Leadership Coalition, bringing together businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and government agencies to strengthen sustainability efforts and share best practices across the county. County Executive Kathy Klausmeier announced the coalition at its inaugural gathering at Towson University, describing the initiative as an opportunity to connect organizations already investing in environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, and community resilience. From the press release: “Sustainability is about more than protecting the…

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June 25, 2026

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

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

Maryland Lawmakers: Don’t Stick Ratepayers with Data Center Costs

A bipartisan group of state legislators is urging FERC to not stick Maryland ratepayers with infrastructure costs associated with out-of-state data centers. Last week, a bipartisan group of 80 State Senators and Delegates sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission urging federal regulators to reject efforts to saddle Maryland ratepayers with billions of dollars in out-of-state infrastructure costs. Transmission projects tied to data center development and already approved by federal regulators are projected…

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June 22, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Environment / Risk Management

State Awards $600K for Flood Reduction Projects Across Maryland

Maryland has awarded $690,000 in competitive grants to support nine flood reduction and restoration projects aimed at helping local communities better prepare for flooding, erosion, and severe weather. The funding, announced by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will support planning and design work for projects across seven counties and reflects the state’s continued investment in resilience and flood mitigation. The grants are funded through Maryland’s Resilience Through Restoration Initiative and the National Oceanic…

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June 16, 2026

Energy / Environment / Transportation and Public Works

Solar and Wind Use Jump as Energy Demand Grows Nationally

A new report from EIA shows that solar and wind use have exploded by double digits since 2023. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently published a report tracking energy consumption by source from January 2023 through June 2026. The report examined major sources of electricity generation nationally, including natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind, hydropower, and solar. Wind and solar saw the most significant growth over that period, increasing by 10 percent and 19 percent,…

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June 15, 2026

Agriculture / Broadband / County News / Economic Development / Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development

Rural Maryland Council Seeks Input on Community Needs and Priorities

The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) invites residents, business owners, community leaders, and other stakeholders to participate in a survey to help shape future investments and policy priorities for rural communities across the state. The survey, which takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, will help inform RMC's legislative advocacy efforts, program priorities, and future funding decisions. Feedback will also support planning for the Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund and two key grant programs: the Maryland Agricultural…

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June 11, 2026

Environment / Leadership / News You Can Use

Maryland Environmental Leader Kim Coble Announces Retirement

Kim Coble, a longtime advocate on environmental and climate policy issues in Maryland, has announced plans to retire as executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) and Maryland LCV Education Fund. Coble has led the organization since 2019, overseeing a period of significant growth and helping shape several major environmental policy discussions in Annapolis. Prior to joining Maryland LCV, she served in leadership roles at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, where she…

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June 11, 2026

County News / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works

Free Technical Assistance for Water Infrastructure Projects Available for Counties

Counties, municipalities, and water utilities seeking funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects may be eligible for free technical assistance through the Region 3 Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) program. Coordinated by the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the program helps communities identify, pursue, and manage funding for water infrastructure projects. Assistance is available throughout EPA Region 3, which includes Maryland, and is provided at…

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June 11, 2026