2024 21st Century Energy: Discussions on Maryland’s Renewable Energy Future

MACo hosted a one-day symposium on October 30, 2024, for county officials and professionals to dive deeply into a hot topic. The 2024 Fall Symposium focused on 21^st Century Energy: Discussions on Maryland’s Renewable Energy Future.

In recent years, the mounting threat of climate change prompted Annapolis policymakers to adopt aggressive measures to accelerate Maryland’s transition to 100% renewable energy. At the same time, they pursued ambitious conservation and preservation goals to protect the state’s natural resources. These overlapping, and at times conflicting, policies placed considerable pressure on local leaders and communities.

At the symposium, experts came together to explore the fundamental principles of renewable energy policy, address the challenges faced by state and county policymakers, and work toward more balanced progress as Maryland tackled the climate crisis. Attendees engaged in the following discussions aimed at finding common ground and charting a sustainable path forward for the state.

Back to Basics: Foundations of Renewable Energy

Evie Schwartz, Special Projects Manager, Maryland Energy Administration
Stefano Ratti, Chief Executive Officer, Chaberton
Brian Megali, Director of Clean Energy Policy, Constellation

Solar Solutions: A Peak at Legislation on the Horizon

Josh Feldmark, Senior Vice President, CI Renewables
Dom Butchko, Director of Intergovernmental Relations, MACo
Bob Sadzinski, Director - Power Plant Research Program, Department of Natural Resources

Two Things Can Be True at Once: Balancing Maryland’s Climate Goals

Lucy Bullock-Sieger, Vice President of Strategy, Lightstar
Paul Pinsky, Director, Maryland Energy Administration
Rachel Jones, Director of Government Relations, Maryland Department of Agriculture
Mike Wilkins, Director of Development Review and Planning, Frederick County

More Than Producing Electrons: A Look at Foundational Energy Infrastructure