The Maryland Department of Agriculture plans to reduce a controversial inspection fee for electric vehicle chargers, after charging companies and EV drivers expressed concerns that the proposed fee would kneecap the industry.
See the full story at Maryland Matters.
More DMV News
Prince William Supervisors Move to End By-Right Data Centers in Overlay District — But Approve Controversial Hornbaker Project in 4-3 Vote
Potomac Local News
In a split decision reflecting deep divisions over the county’s data center boom, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 on March 3 to initiate a zoning text amendment that would eliminate by-right approval for data centers inside the Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District and require special use permits (SUPs) for all future projects countywide.
Virginia to Utilities: Do More With the Existing Power Grid
Canary Media
An upheaval is underway in the nation’s electricity sector, and Virginia is ground zero. As the data center capital of the world, the state faces surging demand, ballooning utility bills, and a bottlenecked grid — all challenges that policymakers are navigating while maintaining a legally mandated course toward carbon neutrality.
Data Centers Could Revive a Shuttered Maryland Coal Plant
E&E News
A shuttered Maryland coal plant could get a new lease on life thanks to the data center boom. But it’s unclear if the plant would burn coal or be converted to use another fuel.
Virginia Democrats Follow Through on RGGI Return
E&E News
Virginia Democrats are executing a belt-and-suspenders strategy to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, with the Legislature passing a bill Monday that would cement the commonwealth’s place in the Northeast’s cap-and-trade system for electricity.
National and International News
EPA Delays Greenhouse Gas Reporting as it Moves to Shut Down Program
Utility Dive
The U.S. EPA on Friday extended the deadline for major industrial sources of greenhouse gas emissions to report their 2025 totals to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. The move pushes back the March 31 deadline to Oct. 30, by which time the agency may have finalized a rule removing the obligation to report such emissions at all for most categories of facilities.
How States Are Trying To Keep AI Data Centers Off Your Power Bill
Canera Media
Essentially, everyone agrees: Americans shouldn’t pay higher electric bills to feed AI data centers’ insatiable demand for power. But what will it actually take to prevent cost spikes?
How Long Do Electric Vehicle Batteries Actually Last?
NPR
Fifteen years ago, when modern electric vehicles were just hitting the road, no one knew exactly what to expect from their giant, expensive lithium-ion batteries.
Few Details on Trump’s Plan for Self-Powered Data Centers
Inside Climate News
President Donald Trump is expected on Wednesday to sign his “Ratepayer Protection Pledge,” a deal he claims to have negotiated with major tech companies for data centers to pay their own energy costs. But he hasn’t disclosed details on how his plan would work or what roles Congress and state electricity regulators would play.
Better Weather Forecasts, Disaster Reviews the Goal of New Federal Bills
Smart Cities Dive
As staffing and funding cuts strain the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service, members of Congress are moving to bolster the nation’s weather forecasting and disaster response systems.