Transportation and Public Works Archives

Virginia Lawmakers To Debate Statewide Pause on Data Center Development

Virginia lawmakers will consider several bills pausing data centers development as concerns grow over energy, water use, and infrastructure demands. Virginia lawmakers are considering several bills that would temporarily pause new data center development. One proposal would establish a three-year statewide moratorium, while others would limit new projects until the electrical infrastructure needed to support existing facilities is in place. The proposals come as concerns grow over rising electricity costs, water use, and the demands…

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October 21, 2026

Economic Development / Energy / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works

Federal Regulators Reject PJM’s Proposed Data Center Power Rules

Federal regulators reject PJM proposals to manage data center electricity demand, raising questions about grid reliability and costs for Maryland customers. Federal energy regulators have rejected two major proposals from PJM Interconnection aimed at managing growing electricity demand from data centers. One proposal would have required large data centers to reduce or shut off power during electricity shortages unless they secured enough new generation to meet their needs. A second proposal would have created a…

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October 20, 2026

News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works

Transit-Oriented Development Grant/Loan Applications Now Open

The Maryland Department of Transportation has opened applications for support for local development projects in areas around transit stations -- advancing development, housing, and commercial opportunities in these targeted zones. Local government and their development partners may apply. The Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Capital Grant and Revolving Loan Fund (“TOD Fund”) provides financial assistance to local jurisdictions and development partners to promote the equitable and inclusive development of transit-oriented development at State-designated TOD sites. Starting in…

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October 1, 2026

County News / Transportation and Public Works

Prince George’s Launches GoPGC as New Era for County Transit

Prince George’s County has officially launched GoPGC, a systemwide transformation of its local transit network that brings County-operated transportation services under a unified identity while advancing efforts to modernize the rider experience. Formerly known as TheBus, GoPGC builds on more than 35 years of County transit service. The transition began this summer and will continue across transit fleets, routes, and programs as part of the County’s broader PGC Transit Transformation. Beyond the new name and…

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September 24, 2026

Energy / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works

New Study Flags 2030 Reliability Risks for PJM

A new study warns that surging data center demand could leave PJM without enough power to reliably meet electricity needs by 2030. A new study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission warns that rapid electricity demand growth, driven largely by data center development, could push the PJM Interconnection outside its reliability standard by 2030. Under the study’s reference case, which uses PJM’s 2026 load forecast, the projected risk of power shortages would be nearly…

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September 22, 2026

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

Deep Dive: A Primer on Data Centers

One of the fastest-growing policy issues facing county governments is the rapid expansion of the data center industry. Historically, data centers attracted relatively limited public attention and were often viewed as low-impact components of the broader digital infrastructure. However, as facilities have grown in size, increased in number, and expanded beyond traditional industrial areas, their impacts have become more visible to nearby communities and policymakers. At the same time, the General Assembly has placed increasing…

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September 16, 2026

Environment / Transportation and Public Works

Local Tools for Funding Climate Resilience

Local governments are exploring new tools to finance climate resilience as federal funding becomes less certain. As federal funding becomes less predictable, local governments are looking at alternative ways to finance climate resilience and strengthen their ability to plan for extreme weather. Below are three approaches that could help jurisdictions expand capacity and move projects forward despite tighter funding conditions. Layer Programs and Funding Sources. Rather than relying on a single grant or initiative, local…

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September 8, 2026

County Budgets / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Finance and Procurement / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

WV Builds Data Center Strategy Around Growth and Local Revenue

West Virginia is pairing incentives for data center development with a statewide plan to distribute new revenue among host counties, infrastructure needs, and tax relief. West Virginia is positioning itself as a major destination for data center development, with state officials announcing two new projects valued at more than $81 billion. The announcements build on a broader push that state leaders say has generated approximately $96 billion in private-sector investment and more than 19,000 projected…

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September 8, 2026

Energy / Environment / Transportation and Public Works

New Analysis Projects Significant Renewable Energy Slowdown

Changes in federal energy policy slow renewable energy development and will likely contribute to higher electricity costs over the next decade. Federal energy policy changes could significantly slow the development of new renewable energy projects over the next decade, according to new modeling from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The analysis estimates that changes to federal tax incentives, tariffs, and offshore wind policies could result in between 390 and 540 gigawatts less wind, solar,…

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September 8, 2026

County Budgets / County News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Transportation and Public Works

MDOT Unveils $22B Transportation Plan as Local Road Funding Cliff Looms

Maryland’s draft six-year transportation plan approaches $22 billion, with significant investments across the transportation network. But for counties and municipalities, the plan also confirms a looming funding cliff, with Highway User Revenues dropping by nearly $100 million in fiscal 2028. The Maryland Department of Transportation's draft fiscal 2027-2032 Consolidated Transportation Program lays out $21.93 billion in capital spending over six years. The CTP serves as Maryland's capital budget for transportation projects and local transportation funding.…

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September 2, 2026