energy

• Laws and Legislation

Italian firm wins Maryland offshore wind leases

An Italian renewable energy company won the rights to develop offshore wind projects in nearly 80,000 acres of Atlantic waters off Maryland's coast with an $8.7 million bid Tuesday.

• Opinion

Eastern Shore wind farm: Let the Navy decide [Editorial]

In the debate over an Eastern Shore wind farm, Sen. Barbara Mikulski should stop trying to save Pax River from itself.

• Harford

Army and Constellation exploring alternative energy, conservation at APG

Officials with the Army's Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground and energy supplier Constellation Retail recently signed three-year agreement to explore alternative energy sources for the Harford County Army post as leaders across the military and federal government look for ways to reduce the amount of energy used at their facilities.

• Harford

Energy independence starts at home [Editorial]

If we play this right, the next time there's a problem with not enough energy being produced overseas, it won't be a problem locally, thanks to things like solar panels on rooftops.

• Opinion

The urgent need to wean the economy from fossil fuels [Letter]

The imminent decline in oil production is another reason for a plan like cap and dividend.

• Opinion

Best strategy for global leadership: Leaner energy consumption [Commentary]

Much as the obesity epidemic is teaching us we need to eat better and smarter, the U.S. also needs to go lean in energy consumption.

• Opinion

Cap and dividend [Editorial]

Maryland congressman's innovative plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but shield average Americans from higher energy prices deserves serious consideration

• Energy

More BGE customers earning bill credits for cutting back

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. says 640,000 customers earned a bill credit last week for cutting back on electricity, the biggest test of a fledgling program aimed at reducing demand on hot days.

• Companies and Corporations

Manure-burning power plant in limbo

Eighteen months after Gov. Martin O'Malley heralded a deal to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay by generating electricity from poultry waste, the company chosen to build the manure-fueled power plant on the Eastern Shore has yet to land a site or apply for permits.

• Environment

Obama administration approves seismic testing for oil and gas off Atlantic coast

The Obama administration took a step closer Friday to allowing oil and gas exploration off the mid-Atlantic and south Atlantic coasts, drawing praise from the energy industry and criticism from environmentalists.

• Obituaries

John H. "Jack" Zink Jr., mechanical contractor

John H. "Jack" Zink Jr., a retired mechanical engineer and contractor, died July 3 of an apparent heart attack at the Greenspring Club. He was 95.

• Plant Openings

Power plants coming to electricity-hungry region

Maryland hasn't had a new power plant of any significance built in over a decade — one reason it imports more electricity than almost any other state, racking up extra charges for consumers. But now new plants are coming.

• Environment

Md. offshore wind auction set

Continuing the Obama administration's push to launch a U.S. offshore wind industry, federal officials announced Wednesday that they'll auction off the rights next month to build turbines off Maryland's coast.

• Baltimore City

Event to help low income Baltimore residents get help on energy bills

Low income Baltimoreans can get help with their energy bills at a three-day energy assistance event to be hosted by Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

• Baltimore City Paper

Do It Yourself

• Baltimore City Paper

How Clean Currents’ demise is going to cost you

• Baltimore City Paper

Baltimore, Where’s the Recovery Money?

• Baltimore City Paper

Smart Meter Fires: Yeah, They Happen

• Courts and the Judiciary

Appeals court says Maryland power-plant deal 'is not permissible'

A U.S. Court of Appeals panel has upheld a decision that Maryland strayed into federal-only territory when it tried to jump start construction of a power plant with subsidies.

• Opinion

Yellen: It's later than you think [Commentary]

If the Fed does not want inflation to get out of control, it best start tightening monetary policy soon.

• Politics

Gov. O'Malley vetoes wind project delay

Congressional delegation warned project threatens military base.

• Opinion

Somerset Co. wind project would be an economic boon [Letter]

Contrary to some complaints, the Somerset County wind energy project would be an economic boon in a distressed area.

• Opinion

A wind-win situation [Commentary]

There is no doubt that national security is of paramount importance. But, what if Maryland can protect one of its crown jewel military assets, the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, while also boosting domestic energy security and taking advantage of the economic development wind energy provides in an area in need of good jobs and investment?

• Baltimore County

BGE rewards Towson U. for energy efficiencies

Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. CEO Calvin Butler Jr. and the U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency Kathleen Hogan joined Towson University officials Thursday afternoon to mark the school's participation in the Department of Energy's Better Building Challenge and to present the school a $1.7 million rebate check from BGE for past efficiencies.

• Opinion

Delaney's energy policy a muddle [Letter]

John Delaney claims to support natural gas but falls short on actual energy policies

• Latest

Harford County schools and BGE work toward greater energy efficiency

Harford County Public Schools and BGE utility officials recently marked a four-year collaboration that has resulted in annual savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs through energy-efficiency projects in schools

• Harford

When private property isn't [Editorial]

The taking of property through eminent domain may well be a necessary authority of government, but it really should be used a lot more sparingly than it has been in modern times.

• Opinion

Slippery slope on wind bill [Letter]

Slippery slope on wind bill

• Consumers

Md. regulators launch investigation into rate increases by energy suppliers

Maryland regulators have launched an investigation into the practices of several energy suppliers in the wake of winter rate spikes that drew howls from customers.

• Opinion

Natural gas is the right choice for the U.S. [Commentary]

In the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a still stagnant economy, President Obama faces two important questions on energy transmission: a decision on the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline and the question of increasing American natural gas exports. These are choices that will resonate from Crimea to Cove Point. In my judgment, the president should reject Keystone and step up natural gas exports.

• Laws and Legislation

Hoyer, O'Malley administration spar over Eastern Shore wind project

In a duel of sorts between two of Maryland's top Democrats, U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer came to Annapolis Tuesday to press for legislation opposed by Gov. Martin O'Malley that Southern Maryland officials insist is needed to protect their region's prized naval air base from an Eastern Shore wind energy project.

• Howard County

Howard weatherization program nets $819,000 for energy assistance

The Howard County weatherization program helps resident save on electricity.

• Anne Arundel

Energy-bill shocks follow cold weather

Higher energy use — and rate spikes for some — increase costs, one ripple among many from the unusual winter

• Politics

House OKs energy projects on preserved farmland

A bill that could allow hundreds of acres of preserved farmland to be converted to wind farms or other renewable energy projects was approved Monday by the House of Delegates

• Opinion

Weathering climate change [Commentary]

Scientists predict climate change will mean more extreme . We have two chief responsibilities to help ensure our city and our residents can "weather" the coming storm. First, we have a moral obligation to do everything we can to limit the activities that contribute to climate change — to help prevent the worst impacts. Second, we must prepare to adapt to the climate change effects we are already experiencing.

• Prices

Maryland fines Starion Energy for customer violations

Maryland officials Friday ordered Starion Energy PA Inc., a Connecticut-based company licensed to sell electricity in parts of Maryland, to pay $350,000 for multiple violations of state law, including more than 100 instances in which it enrolled, or re-enrolled customers without consent.

• Politics

Bills would allow wind, solar projects on preserved farmland

Hundreds of acres of Maryland farmland protected from development at taxpayer expense could be turned into wind or solar energy farms under legislation before the General Assembly.

• Environmental Issues

Solar firm's problems radiate to customers

Greenspring Energy customers say firm didn't pay them for solar credits it sold on their behalf

• Energy Resources

Hundreds rally to oppose Cove Point project

More than 500 people rallied Thursday in Baltimore against plans to export liquefied natural gas from a southern Maryland facility, chanting and carrying signs past the office tower where state regulators were considering one aspect of that proposal.

• Laws and Legislation

'House of Cards' recap, Season 2, Episode 6

Rachel loves ice cubes. Rachel loves air conditioning. Rachel loves being cold.

• Weather

Md. regulators launch utility bill review

Maryland regulators say they will review the extent that customers are past due on bills to electric and gas utilities, fearing that the sharply cold temperatures this winter will get more people into trouble.

• Environmental Issues

Eastern Shore project aims to help towns save energy, money

Eastern Shore officials and conservationists have kicked off a project with four communities — Cambridge, Easton, Salisbury and Snow Hill — to help leaders in those places find ways to use energy more efficiently and with less impact on the environment.

• Environment

Fracking protest kicks off Assembly

Environmentalists concerned about shale gas drilling in Maryland returned to Annapolis Wednesday to try again for a legislative moratorium on "fracking," as the controversial technique of hydraulic fracturing is called.

• Politics and Government

Change Md. blames O'Malley for rising electricity costs

A group headed by a Republican who plans to run in next year's gubernatorial election is blaming Gov. Martin O'Malley for rising utility costs, echoing one of O'Malley's campaign tactics against his predecessor.

• Opinion

Protect endangered air [Editorial]

Even a favorable Supreme Court decision in EPA case likely won't go far enough to protect Maryland and other East Coast states from upwind air polluters

• Harford

Bel Air Verizon store among first to become Smart outlet

While cell phones top the list of "most coveted objects," and 80% of us would never dare to leave home without them, most of us are only using about 10% of the capability of our mobile devices.

• Opinion

Wind energy deserves study [Letter]

Promising wind energy merits further study to determine if the pros outweigh the cons

• Harford

BGE smart meter presentation leads to debate among Bel Air residents

BGE officials spoke to a packed room of contentious Bel Air customers about its new smart meter program Tuesday evening at the Bel Air branch of the Harford County Public Library.

• Opinion

Exporting natural gas is a bad deal for Maryland [Commentary]

Virginia-based Dominion Resources wants to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the Chesapeake Bay via a facility at Cove Point in southern Maryland. This project would not only damage our state's environment, it is also part of an unwise potential national shift toward exporting natural gas, which threatens the economy and jeopardizes our country's goal of reducing harmful greenhouse gas pollution.

• Harford

Aberdeen native awarded at White House for solar energy company

Aberdeen native, Nat Kreamer, 37, was honored at the White House alongside 11 other U.S. veterans for advancing the areas of clean energy and climate security on Tuesday morning.