Maryland

Commentary: Will Hogan's support help destigmatize nuclear energy? – Maryland Matters

Published

2 years ago

April 9, 2024

Commentary: Will Hogan's support help destigmatize nuclear energy? – Maryland Matters

The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2 are located near Lusby. Photo by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

By Jack Marino

The writer was raised in Chevy Chase and is a student at Dartmouth College. He is a member of the American Conservation Coalition Action, a group for conservative environmentalists. ACC Action has not endorsed a candidate in the Maryland Senate race.

Growing up in Montgomery County, I took the region’s natural beauty for granted. I didn’t see anything special in the cherry blossoms each spring, the ancient trees of Rock Creek Park, or the flourishing ecosystem along the Chesapeake Bay. However, as I grew older and spent more time away, I came to appreciate the natural beauty surrounding me at home.

When I drove home from the airport along Rock Creek Parkway, I would gaze out across the glimmering Potomac River before immersing myself in the forest of Rock Creek Park. Although experiences like this instilled within me an appreciation for Maryland’s natural beauty, I also noticed the impact of climate change on Maryland’s environment. From algae blooms on the Potomac River to changing weather patterns to smoke from forest fires, Maryland is unsurprisingly not immune from our failure to address climate issues.

In 2020, when then-Gov. Larry Hogan launched Maryland’s Clean and Renewable Energy Standard (CARES) plan along with a variety of initiatives aimed at Chesapeake Bay restoration, I grew optimistic about the future of Maryland’s climate. In Hogan’s proposed CARES plan, the state would subsidize nuclear energy companies by offering them clean energy credits to achieve the goal of 50% clean electricity generation by 2030. While Hogan’s plan was ultimately defeated in the Maryland Senate, it offered Maryland voters a pragmatic and achievable vision of a clean nuclear-energy-driven future.

Now that Hogan has launched a bid for one of Maryland’s U.S. Senate seats, he positions himself as an advocate for clean nuclear energy on a national level.

Hogan’s plan to promote nuclear energy as a complement to traditional renewable power offered a pragmatic solution to reducing the state’s reliance on fossil fuels. While the energy output of traditional renewable energy options — like wind and solar power — fluctuates with changes in weather conditions, nuclear reactors provide a constant source of energy.

In fact, although wind and solar power normally require supplemental power from natural gas, Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear power station provides consistent supplemental power for the state’s renewable energy sector when it is not running efficiently. As a result, Maryland has reduced its natural gas consumption such that it now ranks among the 10 states with the lowest per capita natural gas use. Not only is Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear reactor profitable, but it also supplies almost 40% of the state’s total energy production,demonstrating that nuclear energy can be economically viable in both Maryland and the wider United States.

Although nuclear energy has garnered the reputation of being unpopular and dangerous in American politics, nuclear energy ranks as the second safest method of energy production just above solar power in deaths per terawatt-hour of electricity. The same survey also ranked nuclear power, which produces nearly half as much carbon as wind power and almost a ninth of the carbon of solar power, as the cleanest method of energy production. This data is also supported by popular sentiment, as over 91% of residents who live near a nuclear power plant have a favorable impression of the energy source.

Young voters, especially young conservatives, are leading the charge to destigmatize, deregulate, and encourage the development of nuclear energy. A plurality of young conservatives want to see more action from Congress on climate change, suggesting that the next generation of Republican voters will push the party to search for pragmatic solutions to climate change. When asked about solutions to the climate challenge, young Republican voters listed nuclear and renewable energy sources as their two climate solutions, demonstrating that young conservatives embrace Hogan’s “all of the above” clean energy vision.

Larry Hogan’s U.S. Senate bid presents an opportunity to galvanize young conservative voters on pragmatic climate policy. Since many young Republicans embrace Hogan’s work on nuclear and renewable energy, Hogan’s candidacy paves the way for a new cohort of conservative leaders who are eager to tackle climate change with practical solutions.

By embracing Hogan’s approach to clean energy, young conservatives can bridge the partisan divide on climate issues and protect the environment for both Maryland and the nation as a whole.

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Maryland

Don’t Sleep on Maryland – The Trek

Published

7 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

After spending a proper zero in Harpers Ferry, WV to learn about and contemplate all of the American history that has transpired in this small area of land, I headed out of town the next day toward Maryland. Although the Appalachian Trail (AT) only runs through Maryland for about 40 miles, what a cool, historic trek it is indeed. Leaving Harpers Ferry, and the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, you descend to the lower level of the beautiful Potomac and follow its banks and swift current into Maryland.

Heading out of Harpers Ferry to Maryland along the mighty Potomac River.

Great Hiking and Camping

The AT in Maryland is very well maintained with great signage and clear trekking. Certainly, the scenery and views, like most of the AT, is great. In particular, I enjoyed hanging out for a lunch break at the picturesque Annapolis Rocks. The shelters and designated camp sites are superb and well stocked with potable water from pumps, bathroom and shower facilities (if open depending on the time of the year), some electrical outlets for charging, food bag bear hanging poles, and a lot of groomed, flat areas for pitching a tent.

At Annapolis Rocks.

Food bag bear pole at Dahlgren Backpacker Campground.

History Galore

I was struck by all of the American history along the AT throughout the journey in Maryland. For instance, at Gathland State Park, you pass by the Civil War journalist’s, George Townsend (aka “Gath”), estate as well as the War Correspondents Memorial Arch. Further along the trail, you encounter numerous Civil War monuments and markers related to the Battle of South Mountain. For me, this led to an initial, long day of hiking since I love history and stopped at every designator to read the narratives and venture down spur trails to visit battle fields, memorials, or other historical remnants. It was fascinating that the AT went through this important history in our country’s existence.

At the War Correspondents Memorial Arch.

Civil War Monument.

Architecture

Also, the AT takes you to the initial George Washington Monument, which overlooks Washington State Park, and provides good details about Washington’s life and career and why this monument is in Maryland. Along the way, I also encountered some restored churches and buildings that appeared to be from the 1700 or 1800s. Lastly, as you exit Maryland, you cross from the South to the North via the Mason Dixon Line.

At the Washington Monument.

Restored church.

Much to Offer

Having never been on the AT in Maryland, nor in its backcountry areas, I was pleasantly surprised how delightful and enjoyable my 40 miles were in this state. The history alone was worth the trek. I went through Maryland on a weekend, so I interacted with many people day or weekend hiking and the consensus was that this part of the AT is kind of a hidden gem with much to offer in terms of views, Civil War history, seemingly ordinary peoples’ personal stories, architecture, and a really great place to get away and just be.

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Maryland

Fallen firefighters memorial in Maryland closed ahead of cermony due to DHS shutdown

Published

19 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Fallen firefighters memorial in Maryland closed ahead of cermony due to DHS shutdown

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Families of fallen firefighters may be unable to access a national memorial honoring their loved ones due to a federal funding lapse affecting the Department of Homeland Security.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation says the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is currently closed to the public, just weeks before its annual remembrance ceremony.

The closure is tied to restricted access at the National Emergency Training Center campus, which houses the memorial and falls under DHS operations.

In early May, the foundation is set to honor 204 firefighters from 43 states during the 45th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, scheduled for May 2-3.

SEE ALSO | Maryland’s new paint fees spark outrage as recycling nonprofit isn’t registered in state

For many families, this event represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the site where their loved ones are permanently honored.

“These families…should be able to stand where their loved ones are recognized by our nation,” said CEO Victor Stagnaro.

The foundation is calling on federal leaders to restore access to the memorial ahead of the ceremony, emphasizing the memorial’s emotional importance to grieving families.

“Congress established the memorial to ensure America remembers its fire heroes,” Stagnaro said. “We urge federal leaders to act now.”

While the foundation says it remains committed to holding Memorial Weekend services with dignity, public access to the ground remains uncertain unless funding issues are resolved.

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Maryland

Maryland residents question new paint can fee amid growing costs

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Maryland residents question new paint can fee amid growing costs

MARYLAND (WBFF) — A trip to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) left some drivers stunned by higher costs that they say are piling up across the state.

Tony Joshua said he walked away when he saw what it would cost to register his vehicle.

“Sticker shock? (laughs),” he said. “I turned right around and got out of the line. I couldn’t do it. I didn’t have it.”

ALSO READ | Maryland’s new paint fees spark outrage as recycling nonprofit isn’t registered in state

The cost of registering, titling and inspecting a vehicle in Maryland doubled last year, but the fee increases don’t stop at the MVA. The Maryland legislature has approved more than 300 new fees in the past two years including a tire tax, a tech tax and a vending machine tax.

“It’s just like greed more than anything,” Baltimore resident Clifton Parrot said.

Baltimore resident Sheila Bowling questioned how the additional funding is being used.

“This is the million dollar question. Nobody knows what those fees are doing. Everything is high in the city,” she said.

If I’m dodging potholes, where is the money going?” Joshua asked.

One of the latest fees will be attached to every gallon of paint sold in Maryland and will go to a nonprofit organization that will manage Maryland’s paint recycling program. But FOX45 News has learned that the nonprofit, PaintCare, isn’t registered as a nonprofit in the state of Maryland, even though it’s set to receive a dollar fee for every gallon of paint sold in the state.

Joshua said the growing costs have him questioning whether he can stay in Maryland.

“It flabbergasts me where the money is going. Sometimes I’m like ‘dude, do I stay here?’” he said.

Bowling said, “This shouldn’t be happening in 2026 this shouldn’t be happening.”

For many Marylanders, the rising fees have strained budgets and morale, with some saying they can no longer afford the increasing price of driving.

“I’m just at my wits end about it. I’m like when do we, the taxpayers get a break?” Joshua asked.

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