Read more about the article Baltimore County Launches Sustainability Leadership Coalition
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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
Read more about the article Judge Quashes Frederick Data Center Referendum Petition
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
Read more about the article Maryland Lawmakers: Don’t Stick Ratepayers with Data Center Costs
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
Read more about the article Governor Moore Executive Order Promotes MD Wood Products in State-Funded Projects
County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement / Transportation and Public Works
Governor Moore Executive Order Promotes MD Wood Products in State-Funded Projects

A new Executive Order from Governor Moore encourages State agencies to prioritize Maryland-sourced wood products in public projects. Governor Moore issued an Executive Order directing Maryland State agencies to prioritize the use of in-state wood products in public projects whenever wood is an appropriate and cost-competitive building material. The order aims to strengthen Maryland's forest products industry while advancing sustainable economic development and responsible forest management. According to the announcement, Maryland's forestry and wood products…

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June 17, 2026
Read more about the article Solar and Wind Use Jump as Energy Demand Grows Nationally
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
Read more about the article Feds Greenlight PJM’s Fast-Track for Large Projects
Energy / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Feds Greenlight PJM’s Fast-Track for Large Projects

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the PJM's fast-track process, paving the way for faster approvals for certain projects.  Last week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved PJM Interconnection’s request to create a new Expedited Interconnection Track (EIT). The temporary process is meant to help move large energy projects through the interconnection queue more quickly. Under the new track, PJM may consider up to 10 projects per year. To qualify, projects must provide at…

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June 15, 2026
Read more about the article Free Technical Assistance for Water Infrastructure Projects Available for Counties
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
Read more about the article Maryland Ranks High on Transit Access, But More Work Remains
Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Maryland Ranks High on Transit Access, But More Work Remains

Maryland performs well in a new national transit access ranking, but the data highlights ongoing challenges around housing growth and transportation investment. A new national analysis from the Urban Institute highlights how limited access to reliable public transit remains across much of the country. While many homes are located near some form of bus or rail service, far fewer are close to frequent, dependable public transit that residents can realistically use for daily travel. For…

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June 9, 2026
Read more about the article Defunct Maryland Coal Plant to Receive Major Federal Investment
Energy / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Defunct Maryland Coal Plant to Receive Major Federal Investment

As part of a broader push by federal leaders to encourage coal use, a defunct western Maryland plant is slated for major federal investment.  As energy continues to be a central issue for policymakers at all levels of government, strategies for addressing affordability, reliability, and generation needs are diverging significantly between the state and federal levels. Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a $700 million investment in coal infrastructure nationwide. The largest share, approximately…

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June 9, 2026
Read more about the article Counties Face Major Cliff as Congress Debates Water Infrastructure Funding
Environment / Transportation and Public Works
Counties Face Major Cliff as Congress Debates Water Infrastructure Funding

Counties could face a major water infrastructure funding cliff later this year if Congress does not renew several key federal funding programs set to expire on September 30. The programs, originally funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, support drinking water systems, wastewater infrastructure, PFAS remediation, lead service line replacement, and other critical projects. The National Association of Counties and a coalition of local government organizations are urging Congress to reauthorize the programs at…

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June 8, 2026
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