Maryland Energy Extension

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Keedysville, MD
Maryland Energy Extension

UMD’s Maryland Energy Extension (MEE) delivers unbiased and research-based programming Extension is the outreach component of US land grant universities.

Each state has one or more land grant universities, whose mission is to disseminate research-based information to the public. Dr. Drew Schiavone is the Energy Specialist for University of Maryland Extension, providing extension educational programs on energy conservation and clean energy technology to benefit Maryland residents, businesses and agricultural producers. For more information, visit

our web page at https://extension.umd.edu/energy
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Accommodation request, contact your local UMD Extension Office.

05/28/2026

PJM received fed approval to curtail power to data centers & other big users during peak demand as heat & outages tighten supply

The 13‑state grid, including MD, is managing growing load & limited reserves to maintain reliability under stressed conditions

Under the Department of Energy order, the PJM Interconnection can curtail power to data centers with backup generation as a last resort before instituting rolling blackouts.

05/27/2026

MD regulators delayed a rule requiring new natural gas customers to pay for line extensions, citing the need for more data on economic impacts.

The decision highlights ongoing evaluation of how infrastructure costs are allocated as energy systems evolve.

The Maryland Public Service Commission is delaying a policy that would make new gas customers pay the full cost of pipeline extensions to their properties, a proposal that had enraged natural gas companies. The pause concerns climate advocates.

05/26/2026

MD has enacted the Utility RELIEF Act to address electricity costs

The law uses ~$100M in state funds for ratepayer offsets, removes a ~$20M utility incentive, & requires users like data centers to fund grid upgrades rather than shift costs to households

The Utility Relief Act was recently signed into law, promises energy relief for Marylanders. While the bill is estimated to save at least $150 a year, customers

05/22/2026

A federal appeals court has paused a MD law limiting retail electricity “green” marketing, citing possible First Amendment concerns

The case highlights how states regulate environmental claims and Renewable Energy Credits as the green power market expands

The Fourth Circuit on Friday halted a Maryland law aimed at preventing electricity companies from falsely marketing their power as environmentally friendly, saying it may be overly broad in a likely violation of the First Amendment.

05/21/2026

Maryland’s largest C‑PACE deal closed: a Frederick hotel secured $43M via MDPACE for efficiency upgrades, including high‑efficiency HVAC, LEDs, & insulation.

The project highlights how structured financing supports large-scale building energy improvements

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) is proud to announce the closing of a $43 million Maryland Property Assessed Clean Energy (MDPACE) transaction, supporting the development of the Marriott Downtown Frederick at Carroll Creek in downtown Frederick. The financing represents...

05/19/2026

A solar project in Montgomery Co installed 270+ kW of rooftop PV across 40 affordable homes

The system is expected to save a local housing nonprofit $500K+ in lifetime energy costs; funds that can be reinvested into supportive housing services & expansion

A nonprofit initiative helped build solar projects on 40 townhomes across Montgomery County, Maryland, resulting in more than 270 kW of new energy output.

05/18/2026

At its annual meeting, regional grid operator PJM faced scrutiny from state leaders, including Gov Moore, over reliability.

Officials noted that grid planning did not fully anticipate rapid data center load growth, complicating future system costs.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore brought a fight over energy affordability and grid reliability to a PJM meeting stacked with influential utility companies.

05/15/2026

A new study of offshore wind hubs, including MD’s Sparrows Point, finds strong support for construction‑phase jobs & economic activity, along with concerns over traffic, noise & community impacts

It also notes early engagement & workforce planning matter

New London is at the center of Connecticut’s offshore wind industry, with the nearly complete Revolution Wind project already delivering power and promising more than 1,000 jobs. But while the development is fueling optimism, a new study shows some residents are uncertain whether the economic bene...

05/13/2026

Governor Moore signed the Utility RELIEF Act.

The law ends “future test year” forecasts, limits use of ratepayer funds for executive pay, and requires data centers to pay for grid upgrades.

It includes ~$100M in household credits.

Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed the Utility RELIEF Act into law Tuesday, ushering in a series of changes to the state’s energy markets that officials hope will lower customers’ electric bills in the months and years to come.

05/11/2026

Maryland’s Office of People’s Counsel filed a FERC complaint:

PJM rules could saddle MD ratepayers with ~$1.6B in grid upgrades for out-of-state data centers (like NoVa).

OPC notes Maryland electric rates are already up ~50% since 2021.

Maryland ratepayers are staring down an estimated $1.6 billion hit to their electric bills over the next decade—roughly $345 per household—to fund transmission upgrades driven largely by data centers in Northern Virginia.

Address

18330 Keedysville Road
Keedysville, MD
21756

Telephone

+13014322767

Website

https://extension.umd.edu/energy

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