Maryland
Maryland’s Sustainability Chief Reflects on a ‘Difficult’ Year of Legislative Setbacks – Inside Climate News
When Meghan Conklin became Maryland’s first-ever chief sustainability officer in 2024, the state seemed poised for rapid climate progress. With billions of dollars in federal funding available under the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), decision makers were preparing to meet statutory mandates to cut emissions 60 percent by 2031 and reach net zero by 2045.
But the political and economic terrain shifted fast. And implications have been dire.
This year, Maryland delayed its zero-emission vehicle mandates, softened building decarbonization rules, cracked open the door to new fossil gas plants and redirected clean energy funds to cover budget holes. All this came in the wake of the Trump administration’s aggressive moves to gut federal climate programs and freeze key grants.
A year after Inside Climate News last spoke with her, Conklin—who reports directly to Gov. Wes Moore and oversees interagency climate coordination—defended the administration’s approach, acknowledged tough tradeoffs and insisted the state has not backtracked on its long-term climate goals.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
AMAN AZHAR: How has your role changed since we spoke in March of last year?
MEGHAN CONKLIN: This has been a challenging year with the Trump administration’s continued attacks on energy, the environment and climate mandates. It was also a challenging legislative session in Maryland. But I feel we made progress towards our climate goals. I feel lucky to serve with a great team around me, including our secretaries of natural resources and the environment, and the Maryland Energy Administration.
AZHAR: Do you think your office now carries more authority over interagency climate decisions, or are you still building that internal leverage?
CONKLIN: I wouldn’t say authority. It’s a partnership. My approach is to work in tandem with other members of the cabinet and their agencies. I’m a member of the governor’s executive team, which helps me speak directly to the governor and some of his senior team. A key mechanism for our interagency coordination is the climate sub-cabinet, which I co-chair along with the Maryland Secretary of the Environment. I’ve been able to form strong relationships across agencies, helping them move forward.
AZHAR: Last year you said your main goal was to ensure Maryland meets its bold climate goals. A year later, do you still believe Maryland is on track?
CONKLIN: That’s still our main mission. But we face unprecedented federal challenges. President Trump’s budget proposes historic environmental cuts, and we’ve had a challenging legislative session. Still, Gov. Moore signed one of Maryland’s most comprehensive climate executive orders, establishing a climate sub-cabinet and requiring agencies to produce climate implementation plans. Those were completed on time, and we’ve made real progress, including $100 million in state funding—half for solar projects on state property, half for local clean energy initiatives.
AZHAR: This year’s General Assembly session saw clean car mandates delayed, the Better Buildings Act stalled and up to 10 new gas plants authorized. Advocates say Maryland is retreating on its climate commitments. Do you agree?
CONKLIN: Legislation rarely emerges exactly as proposed. There were some provisions in the energy package legislation on natural gas, driven by Maryland’s presiding officers, not our administration. Still, there were some important gains, including removing trash incineration from our renewable energy portfolio and reducing red tape around solar deployment. Overall, I believe some valuable progress was made despite compromises.
AZHAR: How does opening the door to new gas plants align with Maryland’s climate goals?
CONKLIN: The governor is committed to 100 percent clean electricity. Those gas provisions were not in his bill, which was the ENERGIZE Maryland Act. The administration is focused on clean energy, not just wind and solar, but all the other types of carbon-free electricity, like nuclear.
AZHAR: Environmental advocates said they felt blindsided by the gas and nuclear provisions, and that Maryland is opening doors to fossil fuels under the guise of reliability. Did you share these concerns?
CONKLIN: Advocates, including Maryland’s League of Conservation Voters, shifted their stance from opposition to neutrality because of the climate-positive elements we added to the energy package. Legislative process often involves difficult compromises, especially under challenging conditions like we have under the Trump administration. Even if it wasn’t ideal, we saw overall gains.
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AZHAR: One of your key roles is to help secure and track federal climate funding. Did state leadership anticipate funding upheavals and did your office prepare budget models?
CONKLIN: Gov. Moore anticipated a potential political shift months ahead. I lead our federal investment team, tracking federal funding closely. We’ve aggressively pursued IRA and Infrastructure Law funding and successfully defended some grants in court. For example, the $62 million that Maryland received under the Solar for All grant is now unfrozen as a result of litigation. We also secured $130 million under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, and those are continuing as well. But challenges remain and litigation is ongoing.
AZHAR: Which specific climate programs are directly impacted by federal disruptions?
CONKLIN: Many, but notably our National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funds have been frozen. We’re also very concerned about offshore wind projects. Maryland recently joined Massachusetts in suing over Trump’s permitting restrictions on offshore wind.
AZHAR: The state diverted money from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund into the general budget. Did you support that move?
CONKLIN: Gov. Moore faced an unprecedented budget crisis, forcing tough trade-offs. Still, $100 million of that went to climate programs. I don’t anticipate this becoming a regular occurrence.
AZHAR: Moore initially called climate action an “all-of-government priority.” But some advocates now say that economic pragmatism has taken over climate action. Has there been a recalibration?
CONKLIN: We’re committed to climate action. Protecting the climate and economy aren’t mutually exclusive. The energy legislation streamlined solar deployment in Maryland, which will help climate and economy, reflecting the governor’s continued commitment.
AZHAR: Were environmental justice reviews conducted for the delayed mandates, weakened standards or new gas projects?
CONKLIN: Environmental justice remains a priority. Post-session, we’re reviewing potential executive actions on climate and environmental justice issues. So stay tuned. It’s at the forefront of my mind.
AZHAR: Given the delays, diversions and shifting ground, does Maryland still have a credible claim to national climate leadership?
CONKLIN: We’re still among the leaders. I’ll soon meet with other states through the U.S. Climate Alliance. Despite that it was one of the most challenging sessions I’ve experienced, we continue making progress toward our goals.
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Aman Azhar is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist who covers environmental justice for Inside Climate News with focus on Baltimore-Maryland area. He has previously worked as a broadcast journalist and multimedia producer for the BBC World Service, VOA News and other international news organizations, reporting from London, Islamabad, the United Arab Emirates and New York. He holds a graduate degree in Anthropology of Media from University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and an MA in Political Science from the University of the Punjab, and is the recipient of the Chevening scholarship from the UK government and an academic scholarship for graduate studies from the Australian government.
The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region.
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals’ first-round draft pick Chris Hacopian inked his first professional contract Wednesday, a moment made sweeter by the fact it was just a 30-minute drive from home to get to Nationals Park and put pen to paper.
The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region. He’s from Potomac, Maryland, and played his high school ball at Winston Churchill, where he was named the 2022 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2022 Washington Post All-Met selection.
According to MLB.com, Hacopian grew up a Nationals fan, admiring the likes of Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa and others. He also played his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Maryland, where his father Derek played before him, before transferring to Texas A&M for his junior season.
With the Aggies, Hacopian hit .319 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI across 42 games en route to being named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference and a Third-Team All-American by Baseball America, the Nationals said in a news release.
After inking his contract Wednesday, Hacopian donned his new jersey and ball cap and stepped onto D.C.’s beloved diamond as a part of the Nationals organization for the first time.
“That was so cool, oh my gosh. I’ve been in the stands like, 100 times, but being on the field is so different,” he said.
Hacopian was ranked 14th among MLB Draft prospects by MLB.com. The 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound second baseman boasted one of the best bats in college baseball, according to MLB.com, with excellent control over the strike zone and feel for the barrel, along with solid pop.
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The state said the five recently traveled together to “a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak.”
Maryland health officials confirmed five more measles cases, all in Carroll County.
“These individuals recently traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak,” the state Department of Health said in a release.
The agency said others may have been exposed on the afternoon of July 13 in the emergency department waiting room at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster.
Another measles case recently prompted warnings from health officials in Maryland, Virginia and the District. On June 17, a Maryland resident traveled through Dulles International Airport and visited a D.C. urgent care clinic.
Measles is highly contagious. It can spread through the air through coughs, breathing, and sneezes. Early symptoms can include fevers of over 101 degrees, coughs, runny noses, watery eyes and face or body rashes.
It can take up to 21 days after exposure for the first symptoms to appear, and those who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles are especially vulnerable.
The five new measles cases in Maryland bring the state’s year-to-date total to nine. The state health department confirmed three cases in 2025, and one in each of the previous two years.
“All Marylanders should review potential exposure times, watch for symptoms, and confirm they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations,” the health department said.
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Baltimore may be under an extreme heat alert, but residents can dream about autumn, as tickets are now on sale for the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show returning to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in October.
This three-day celebration of home and garden takes place from Friday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Expect hundreds of exhibitors, local makers, home improvement experts, family-friendly experiences and celebrity guests. The show offers everyone the chance to explore the very latest in home improvement, landscaping, outdoor living and decor, the chance to take part in hands-on experiences, and do some holiday shopping all under one roof.
This year’s show will have more than 300 exhibitors, including more than 100 crafters from around Maryland in the Makers Market. There will be unique exhibits, stage presentations and a special appearance by Chase Morrill, Ashley Morrill-Eldridge and Ryan Eldridge from Magnolia Network’s hit series “Maine Cabin Masters.” The three will have two Main Stage appearances, one on Friday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. and the second on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12 p.m.
“As temperatures start to drop and the holiday season comes into view, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show is a place to gather ideas, meet local experts and get inspired before the busy season begins,” said Dave Paul, show manager, in a statement. “Whether attendees are planning a home project, looking for outdoor living ideas or getting a head start on holiday shopping, the show brings together resources and experiences for every kind of homeowner, maker and DIY enthusiast.”
In addition to the Makers Market and stars of “Maine Cabin Masters”, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show will have a petting zoo, a Kids Market where attendees can shop from local children, and much more.
Tickets are available online and at the door. Prices are as follows:
Online:
- Adults: $8
- Senior Citizens (60+): $6
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- 4-Pack Online: $30 for four tickets, valid for one admission each and one day only
At the door:
- Adults: $10
- Senior Citizens (60+): $8
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- Friday & Saturday: $4 after 4 p.m. at the door only
Special Offers:
- Active and retired military personnel, veterans, firefighters and police officers receive free admission all weekend, along with one guest, with valid ID at the box office.
- Attendees who show a CharmPass app, Light RailLink ticket or eligible transit pass at the box office receive free admission any day of the show. One admission is available per pass.
The Maryland State Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Road in Lutherville-Timonium.
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