Transportation and Public Works Archives

Environment / Transportation and Public Works

EPA Study Finds Municipal Waste Incineration Can Destroy Most PFAS

EPA testing found that high-temperature municipal waste combustion destroyed or removed approximately 98% of measured PFAS-related compounds. EPA testing at a Florida municipal waste-to-energy facility found that the combustion process destroyed or removed approximately 98% of the PFAS-related compounds used in the study. The facility operates above 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and researchers estimated that its remaining annual PFAS air emissions were relatively low, including minimal PFOA and no detected PFOS. The results suggest municipal waste…

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July 29, 2026

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

Environment / Transportation and Public Works

Proposed Clean Water Changes Spell Trouble for Maryland

Proposed Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) changes spell trouble for Maryland state and local governments. A bipartisan Senate proposal would replace the decades-old formula used to distribute federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund dollars with a system based on current infrastructure needs, population, and poverty levels. The program provides low-interest loans and grants for sewer repairs, wastewater treatment upgrades, stormwater projects, and other water-quality improvements. The revised formula would increase funding for many fast-growing…

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July 28, 2026

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

Cement Tariffs Increase Costs to Produce Housing and Infrastructure

New proposed tariffs on Canadian cement and concrete will likely increase costs to produce housing and infrastructure. New tariffs on Canadian imports could significantly increase the cost of cement and concrete used in highways, bridges, foundations, multifamily developments, and other major construction projects. Contractors may face outdated cost estimates, higher bids, project delays, reduced scopes, and disputes over whether owners or builders are responsible for unexpected price increases. Rising material prices add further pressure to…

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July 27, 2026

Agriculture / Economic Development / Environment / Health and Human Services / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

PFAS in Rural Maryland at #MACoCon

Hear how PFAS contamination poses growing public health and financial risks for rural counties and the communities they serve. PFAS contamination is a serious concern for rural counties because many residents rely on private wells and small water systems that may have limited capacity to detect, treat, or remove these persistent chemicals. Contamination can also affect agricultural soils, livestock, crops, and irrigation water, creating potential risks for the food supply and significant economic consequences for…

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July 27, 2026

County News / Transportation and Public Works

Anne Arundel Invests $17M in Transit Operations Hub

Anne Arundel County has broken ground on a new $17 million Transportation Operations Facility, a long-term infrastructure investment designed to support the county's expanding transit system and future mobility needs. Located on a 7.7-acre site in Glen Burnie, the facility will provide a permanent home for the county's transit operations while supporting fleet maintenance, administrative functions, and future service expansion. Once complete, the facility will also include infrastructure to accommodate electric transit vehicles, helping position…

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July 23, 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

Emergency Management / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

From Risk to Resilience: Local Tools for a Stronger Maryland

Explore how Maryland counties can align resilience planning, financing, and technical support to turn climate goals into projects that protect communities. Resiliency planning is essential for helping counties prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies while strengthening the infrastructure and systems communities rely on every day. By bringing elements of emergency planning and public works together, counties can better identify vulnerabilities, coordinate resources, and design projects that reduce risks before disasters occur. This collaborative…

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July 21, 2026

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

MACo Hosts Meeting to Address Housing Needs in Rural Maryland

MACo hosted a meeting of the Rural Maryland Council's Housing Working Committee to discuss legislative ideas for the upcoming 2027 legislative session. Earlier this week, MACo hosted the Rural Maryland Council’s Housing Working Committee for a discussion on potential legislation for the 2027 General Assembly session. Although housing policy has remained at the forefront in Annapolis, many of the solutions considered to date have focused primarily on urban and suburban communities, leaving rural jurisdictions with…

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July 16, 2026

Housing and Community Development / Transportation and Public Works

Maryland Awards $1B in Affordable Housing Financing

In FY 2026, Maryland awarded over $1 billion in affordable housing funds, underlining the need for more work to support project financing. For the 2026 fiscal year, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development awarded low-income housing tax credits and provided financing through state rental housing funds, the Multifamily Bond Program, and energy efficiency programs with an estimated value of more than $1 billion to create or preserve 3,025 affordable rental units. Funding was…

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July 15, 2026