MARYLAND — Gov. Wes Moore outlined a plan to lower rising energy bills at a Greater Washington Board of Trade event last week. The Maryland Governor addressed regional concerns regarding utility costs and regulatory frameworks during a discussion with the organization's leadership.

He spoke with Greater Washington Board of Trade President and CEO Jack McDougle during the group's "Regional Energy Outlook" event. The conversation focused on strategies to address the economic pressures facing the region.

Residents across the D.C. region have voiced frustration over higher utility bills. Some residents are questioning whether growing energy demand from data centers is contributing to higher costs.

Moore said Maryland should pursue a diverse energy strategy rather than relying on a single source. He stated he is exploring a range of energy options, including nuclear power.

"I think that when you think about the prospects of things like AI, I think this could revolutionize healthcare. I think it could revolutionize education. I think it could revolutionize public safety. I think that there is a whole lot that can be generated from a powerful, productive future around AI," Moore said.

He noted he is optimistic about the potential benefits of artificial intelligence. He said he is remarkably bullish on things like solar and wind and battery storage and transmission. He identified the pace of approving new energy projects as one of the biggest challenges facing the sector.

He said regional grid operators need to speed up project approvals and coordinate with governors on the types of generation and infrastructure their states need most. He argued that policymakers need to modernize energy regulations written for a different era.

"We have rules and regulations that, frankly, were not made for a moment like this," he said. "We're still having guidelines that were built in a century that we no longer exist in," he added.

He called for stability in regulatory approaches across political cycles. "And stop making it so that every time there's a change in administration, it also means there's a change in energy policy," he said.

The D.C. region had a population of 7,688,549 according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey. Rising energy costs affect a significant portion of this population, prompting scrutiny of infrastructure demands and policy efficiency.

His proposals target regulatory modernization and diversified energy sources to address these costs. His emphasis on coordinating with regional grid operators shows the need for multi-state cooperation in infrastructure development.