Op/ed: Maryland Should Lead in Clean Energy, Too

Clean energy isn’t just about climate commitments—it’s about economic resilience, energy independence and long-term competitiveness, according to Terp experts in a new essay published in Maryland Matters.

The state’s focus on the energy-intensive technologies of artificial intelligence and quantum computing can be enhanced by a commitment to the technology that powers them, write Eric Wachsman, Distinguished University Professor and Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (MEI2) director; Catherine Stephens, research/communications/program manager for MEI2; and Victor Der Ph.D. ’78, MEI2 advisory board chair, general manager for the Americas at the Global CCS Institute and an adjunct professor at Columbia University.

Maryland is making bold moves. With new investments pouring into artificial intelligence and quantum technology research, our state is positioning itself as a national leader in the industries of tomorrow. This is an exciting and necessary step—these technologies will shape the next generation of health care, national security, finance and countless other fields.

But as we chart this path toward a more innovative future, it’s critical that we don’t leave one essential pillar behind: clean energy and energy storage. For Maryland to be a hub in AI technology, it must also be a leader in the energy systems that will power it.

Read the rest of the essay in Maryland Matters.