Energy Study Indicates Possible Pathway to Savings
Maryland legislators approved legislation to fast-track energy projects earlier this year. However, Maryland is only part of one of the world’s largest energy grids, thus limiting the state’s ability to directly lower utility prices even with additional energy sources.
The state is part of the PJM Interconnection, a power grid that includes D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, and 11 other states, providing regional energy stability for more than 65 million Americans with 185 gigawatts of generating capacity.
PJM Interconnection is also currently the largest energy provider for data centers in the world.
The Maryland Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)’s most recent report alleges that Maryland ratepayers are subsidizing data centers in Virginia and Illinois. Northern Virginia currently has an estimated four gigawatts of data center energy needs, more than 25% of the nation’s total data center capacity.
“Traditionally, transmission costs are paid for by the stakeholders who are responsible for the increased transmission needs,” read the report. “And yet, PJM is attempting to saddle Marylanders with $800 million in new transmission costs, despite protected load stability or decreases in the BGE and PEPCO region and a 45% increase in Virginia.”
County Council Chair Edward Burroughs III (D-District 8) pointed to the tax revenue that northern Virginia receives from their data center investment, which provides vital government services and limits the need for property tax increases.
“Most of us agree that we cannot continue to raise property taxes on our homeowners,” said Burroughs. “We know that our homeowners are struggling just like the county is struggling. It’s so important that we generate additional streams of revenue, and we’ve seen this be very effective in other places.”
Burroughs also acknowledged the environmental risks and other drawbacks to the proposal when he introduced the bill in February.
“We do understand there are some downsides. There are some environmental risks, and it’s just important that the council brings together a group of experts along with the county government to study this issue to figure out if it’s in our best interest or not,” he said.
A recent study by the Evergreen Collaborative argues that Maryland utility rates could go down by 7% across the next decade if PJM project approval times are expedited, and rates will increase 60% over the next 10 years if said changes are not adopted.
“We wanted to look at what PJM has done to contribute to this problem, by not adding new energy projects efficiently to the electric grid, and to really look forward and look proactively at what reforms we could do now,” said Charles Harper, senior policy lead for the power sector at Evergreen Collaborative.
PJM, which is estimated to face power shortages as soon as next year, has begun work on 64 projects since 2020, aimed at producing a combined five gigawatts of production. This could power a mere 4-5 million homes, relative to the existing 34 million home power capacity needed.
Local Nonprofit Hosts Gardening Workshop, Teaches Sustainable Living Practices
The Way to Live Foundation, a Prince George’s health-focused nonprofit, hosted its Spring Break Youth Gardening Workshop on April 16 for middle schoolers in the D.C. metropolitan area to learn about healthy nutrition and participate in activities aimed at teaching them how to grow their own food.
Kandice Freeman, Way to Live Foundation’s executive director, is proud to instill sustainable and healthy practices into the minds of future leaders.
“This program is about more than just gardening; it’s about cultivating in our youth a mindset of positive growth inside and out. It’s about giving our children space to learn, grow, and be productive when school is not in session,” Freeman told The Informer. “We have to show them we care by giving them something to look forward to.”
Held at Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, the gardening workshop went from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with the day’s activities including planting seeds, creating snacks from fresh ingredients, and visiting a local farm–all at a cost of $20.
Some of the past accomplishments of the Way To Live Foundation include donating 3,000 pounds of chicken to a local food pantry, providing groceries and Thanksgiving meals, and mentoring 60 students at Riverdale Baptist Church.
“We want to inspire the next generation to take an active role in their food sovereignty,” said Freeman, “and understand the profound impact they can have, in their families, communities, and the planet as a whole by growing food.”
Learn more about the Way to Live Foundation here.
