Read more about the article Maryland Braces for Prolonged Extreme Heat
Emergency Management / Energy / Environment / Transportation and Public Works
Maryland Braces for Prolonged Extreme Heat

A dangerous stretch of extreme heat grips Maryland, breaking records and straining local services. As June comes to a close, Maryland—along with much of the Midwest and Eastern U.S.—is facing several consecutive days of extreme heat. While isolated days above 100°F aren’t unusual during Maryland summers, it’s rare to see such high temperatures this early in the season and for such an extended stretch. These prolonged heat waves are becoming more frequent, with temperature records…

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June 23, 2025
Read more about the article Protecting the Tap: County Rolls Out Water Safety Initiative
Environment / Health and Human Services / Transportation and Public Works
Protecting the Tap: County Rolls Out Water Safety Initiative

The Washington County Division of Environmental Management is launching a critical, state-mandated initiative to protect the public drinking water system from potential contamination: the Cross-Connection Control (CCC) Program. This program focuses on identifying and mitigating risks of pollutants entering the water supply through backflow—a reversal of water flow that can occur in certain plumbing systems. All non-residential properties will eventually be surveyed as part of this important water safety initiative. What to Expect The CCC Program will…

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June 19, 2025
Read more about the article Fleet Electrification Made Easy for Counties
County News / Energy / Environment / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Transportation and Public Works
Fleet Electrification Made Easy for Counties

This week's publication of the Resource Roundup by NACo Public Promise Procurement focuses on counties' sustainability goals and modernizing their operations through fleet electrification. To help counties navigate this transition, United Rentals – through its contract with Public Promise Procurement, powered by NACo – offers a flexible, cost-effective pathway to test and implement electrification strategies. A Turnkey Solution for Counties The United Rentals contract (Contract #240153) available through Public Promise Procurement provides counties with access…

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June 19, 2025
Read more about the article Feds Move to End California Emissions Waiver, State To Challenge Decision
Energy / Environment / Transportation and Public Works
Feds Move to End California Emissions Waiver, State To Challenge Decision

The President signed a Congressional resolution ending California's Vehicle Emissions Waiver, preempting the state from setting stricter emissions standards.  In a significant shift, the U.S. Senate voted in May 2025 to rescind California’s long-standing authority to set vehicle emissions standards that exceed federal requirements. This move, made through the Congressional Review Act, targets the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, which aim to phase out new gasoline-powered vehicle sales by 2035. Proponents of the rollback—including…

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June 16, 2025
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Sets National Standard in Clean Water Compliance
County News / Environment / Transportation and Public Works
Anne Arundel Sets National Standard in Clean Water Compliance

The Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works Bureau of Utility Operations received National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Peak Performance Awards for perfect National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permit compliance at all seven of the County’s Water Reclamation Facilities (WRF). “Our water reclamation facilities are often out of sight, but the work happening inside them is absolutely essential to protecting public health and the environment,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “This recognition…

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June 12, 2025
Read more about the article Managing Forever Chemicals: The Road Ahead for PFAS Policy
Environment / Policy Deep Dive / Transportation and Public Works
Managing Forever Chemicals: The Road Ahead for PFAS Policy

This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives. Since the mid-20th century, PFAS—synthetic substances often referred to as "forever chemicals"—have been promoted as revolutionary materials. These chemicals are used in thousands of products, from everyday household items to critical components of modern infrastructure. Growing…

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June 11, 2025
Read more about the article St. Mary’s Transit System Goes Fare-Free Starting July 1
County Budgets / County News / Transportation and Public Works
St. Mary’s Transit System Goes Fare-Free Starting July 1

St. Mary’s County will eliminate all transit fares, expanding access to public transportation and advancing local goals around equity, mobility, and economic opportunity. Beginning July 1, 2025, the St. Mary’s Transit System (STS) will eliminate all passenger fares for public routes and paratransit services. Approved by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County in the fiscal 2026 budget, the fare-free program will remain in place for at least one year. By removing fares, STS aims to…

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June 9, 2025
Read more about the article NOAA Forecasts Above-Normal Atlantic Hurricane Season
Emergency Management / Environment / Transportation and Public Works
NOAA Forecasts Above-Normal Atlantic Hurricane Season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had forecasted an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.  NOAA’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The agency is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 6-10…

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June 3, 2025
Read more about the article Supreme Court Limits Scope of Enviro Reviews, Narrows Court’s Future Role
Environment / Transportation and Public Works
Supreme Court Limits Scope of Enviro Reviews, Narrows Court’s Future Role

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled to limit the scope of environmental reviews and to give more deference to agencies.  On May 29, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County to narrow the scope of environmental reviews mandated under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The case centered on the proposed 88-mile Uinta Basin Railway in Utah, designed to transport crude oil to Gulf Coast refineries. The Court…

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June 2, 2025
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Inside the Committee Room With Delegate Marc Korman
County Government and Structure / County News / Environment / General Assembly News / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Conduit Street Podcast: Inside the Committee Room With Delegate Marc Korman

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson are joined by Chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee, Delegate Marc Korman, for a deep dive into the inner workings of legislative committees in the Maryland General Assembly — how they function, why they matter, and what changes when one takes on the role of chair.     Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get…

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May 30, 2025
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