Wicomico Sets Energy Summit on Maryland's Rate Crisis

Wicomico County, MD - Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano will host an Energy Solutions Summit on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The forum starts at 1:00 p.m. at the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, located at 31901 Tri-County Way, #201, in Salisbury, Maryland.

The event will bring together state and local elected officials, utility representatives, and energy industry experts. They will discuss energy affordability, reliability, and Maryland's long-term energy future.

"As energy rates continue to place pressure on families, businesses, and local governments, we need to bring the people who understand these issues to the same table," said County Executive Giordano. "This forum is about having a productive conversation about what is driving Maryland's energy costs, the policies affecting our energy supply, and, most importantly, what practical solutions are available to provide reliable and affordable energy for Marylanders."

An elected-official panel will feature several familiar names from the region. Maryland Delegate Barry Beauchamp, Maryland Delegate Brian Chisholm, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, Maryland State Senator Mary Beth Carozza, and Maryland State Senator Johnny Mautz are all expected to take part.

An industry expert panel will follow, offering views from Maryland's electric and natural gas sectors. That panel includes Matt Teffeau, a former energy lobbyist, along with Derrick Craig of Chesapeake Utilities and Melanie Miller of ICF. A representative from Delmarva Power will also join the discussion.

County Executive Giordano will serve as emcee and moderator for the event. She plans to guide the conversation through several key topics, including rising costs for consumers, energy generation and capacity, grid reliability, infrastructure needs, and state policies shaping Maryland's energy future.

Panelists are also expected to explore possible solutions and policy changes. The goal is to find ways to make energy more affordable and reliable for the state going forward.

"This is about bringing leaders to the table to discuss and come up with solutions to solve our state's biggest issue right now for the average business and citizen, that Maryland's energy rates are too high," Giordano said. "Marylanders deserve a serious discussion that looks beyond talking points and focuses on solutions that can make a meaningful difference for ratepayers."

The summit is expected to cover a wide range of energy sources. Natural gas, wind, solar, hydroelectric power, and energy storage are all likely to come up as the group looks at ways to balance affordability with reliability.

The Energy Solutions Summit is open to the public and the media. Residents, business owners, and community members who want a say in Maryland's energy future are encouraged to attend.