Transportation and Public Works Archives

From Risk to Resilience at #MACoCon

Maryland leaders examine the planning, financing, and local tools counties can use to strengthen community resilience. Resilience planning increasingly requires counties to connect emergency management, infrastructure, climate preparedness, and long-term investment. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Delegate Michele Guyton moderated a discussion with state, county, and national leaders on how Maryland can move from resilience planning to implementation, including the financing, technical assistance, and coordination needed to advance projects that reduce risk and strengthen…

Comments Off

August 19, 2026

Environment / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

Bay Goals, Stormwater Realities at #MACoCon

State and county leaders examine stormwater, Bay restoration, infrastructure needs, and the evolving policies shaping local water quality efforts. The health of the Chesapeake Bay remains closely tied to county investments in stormwater management, wastewater systems, and other local infrastructure. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Delegate Dana Stein moderated a discussion with state and water policy experts on the next phase of Maryland’s Bay restoration efforts, including the future of the Bay Restoration Fund,…

Comments Off

August 19, 2026

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

The Electric Slide at #MACoCon

Maryland leaders examine how AI and data center growth is reshaping energy demand, infrastructure, affordability, and local economic development. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and data centers is creating new economic opportunities while placing significant pressure on Maryland’s energy system, infrastructure, and local communities. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo moderated a discussion with energy, utility, and consumer policy leaders on how rising electric demand could affect energy prices, grid capacity,…

Comments Off

August 19, 2026

Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

Moving at the Speed of Need at #MACoCon

State and county leaders examine how Maryland can make permitting more predictable and efficient while supporting responsible growth. Counties face growing pressure to move housing, commercial development, and critical infrastructure projects through the permitting process more efficiently, while still navigating complex regulatory requirements, public processes, and community priorities. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Senator Benjamin Brooks moderated a discussion with state and county planning leaders on improving coordination, increasing predictability, and finding practical ways…

Comments Off

August 19, 2026

County News / Housing and Community Development / Risk Management / Transportation and Public Works

Baltimore Seeks New Fee Structure To Maintain City-Owned Conduit System

Baltimore City is proposing a new fee structure for companies that use its municipally owned underground conduit system, an effort aimed at providing sustainable funding to maintain and modernize one of the city's most important pieces of public infrastructure. The proposal would establish a $4.05 per linear foot franchise fee for Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) and other conduit users beginning January 1, 2027. The rate would also be adjusted for inflation moving forward. Baltimore's…

Comments Off

August 6, 2026

County News / Economic Development / Environment / Transportation and Public Works

Maryland Releases First Statewide EV Infrastructure Plan

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released the state's first Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan (ZEVIP), providing counties and other local partners with a roadmap for expanding public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure over the next five years. The plan examines projected EV adoption and charging needs through 2031 while outlining strategies to support future charging investments across Maryland. It is intended to help state agencies, local governments, utilities, and private-sector partners coordinate infrastructure…

Comments Off

August 6, 2026

Environment / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

Bay Goals, Stormwater Realities: What Counties Need to Know

Hear how the state and counties are partnering improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. The health of the Chesapeake Bay is essential to Maryland’s environment, economy, and quality of life. Clean water supports wildlife, recreation, tourism, agriculture, and communities across the state. Preserving this natural resource requires continued investment in stormwater management, wastewater systems, and aging infrastructure. Counties will play a central role in continuing to advance this work, tailoring restoration efforts to meet…

Comments Off

August 4, 2026

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

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