AGP Executive Report

AI Policy Clash: GOP and Democratic senators sparred over Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates’ warning that AI could lead to “a billion” deaths, with lawmakers arguing over how seriously to treat the risk and whether the U.S. should slow development. Housing & Courts: A D.C. landlord coalition says court delays are hurting affordable housing recovery and urges Congress to fully fund D.C. Courts and require 60-day hearing deadlines. Privacy & Insurance: A new test found many cars and apps quietly sending driving and personal data to outside firms—data that can feed insurer pricing. Defense & Medical Readiness: Multiple soldiers and families describe failures after an Iranian drone strike, including problems in recognizing injuries and getting wounded to care. Maryland Healthcare Pipeline: College of Southern Maryland approved new associate degrees in radiation therapy and healthcare administration to expand workforce access in Southern Maryland. Chesapeake Bay Funding: EPA announced $90M for clean water and restoration in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including 28 projects in Virginia. Food & Consumer Safety: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of Gatorade due to missing yellow dye label declarations. Local Food Security: LifeStream in Charles County is expanding monthly food distributions with a grant and keeps a 24/7 community fridge running. Energy & Grid Strain: A major U.S. grid auction tied to data-center power supply was suspended after FERC pushed back, underscoring how electricity constraints are reshaping AI infrastructure timelines.

Maryland Trade & Investment: Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker Jr. met Qatar’s trade officials and business leaders through the Qatari Businessmen Association, aiming to deepen investment ties and open new partnership channels. Cybersecurity in Sports: The Baltimore Ravens partnered with Camelot Secure and DigiFlight as a “Proud Cyber Resilience Partner,” underscoring how teams are treating digital systems and AI-enabled operations as mission-critical. Biotech/Health Supply Chain: A Chilean supplier expanded its E. coli recall to additional Trader Joe’s frozen berry lots sold in Maryland and many other states, raising fresh food-safety checks for families. Manufacturing & Jobs: Packaging Corporation is set to lay off 90 workers tied to a Middletown plant closure, a reminder that industrial restructuring is still hitting Maryland communities. Consumer/Auto Policy: Maryland changed rules starting Oct. 1 so a notarized bill of sale is no longer required for many private used-car sales under seven years old, though buyers may still need proof if prices don’t match valuation. Research & Innovation: UMB researchers detailed how Piezo1 and Piezo2 mechanical sensors help guide tooth development, pointing to new angles for dental science.

Utility & Housing Costs: Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen escalated pressure on BGE’s proposed $156M electric rate increase, joining the High Energy Bills Maryland Coalition for door-to-door outreach tied to the Public Service Commission case. Energy Infrastructure: Maryland regulators ended a utility rate pilot and moved into a reform review, while the state also launched a Key Bridge rebuild dashboard with monthly progress updates. Manufacturing Layoffs: Packaging Corporation of America plans to lay off about 90 workers at its Middletown corrugated plant as it closes in December. Food Safety: The FDA expanded a frozen-berry recall over possible E. coli contamination, including Great Value and Trader Joe’s products sold across many states. Consumer Real Estate: Missouri joined other states cracking down on “We Buy Houses” wholesalers, requiring written seller notices and pushing for more transparency. Trade & Shipping: A large Iranian-flagged container vessel docked at Kenya’s Port of Lamu, underscoring ongoing global logistics pressure points. Education Outcomes: A Spotlight on Maryland comparison found Worcester County’s strong test results despite similar per-student spending to Somerset, fueling debate over how funding translates into performance.

Key Bridge rebuild: Maryland launched a public dashboard to track the multibillion-dollar Key Bridge restoration, with monthly progress updates and current design milestones (south approach 95% designed; north 26% complete on pylons). Energy & utilities: BGE, Delmarva Power and Pepco will deliver tax savings directly to Maryland customers, while regulators end a utility rate pilot and move into a reform review. Coastal restoration: Engineers used dredged sediment to rebuild Maryland’s Swan Island in Tangier Sound, placing about 60,000 cubic yards across roughly 12 acres to restore marsh and dune habitat. Food safety: CDC and FDA expanded recalls tied to an E. coli outbreak linked to frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s. Environment & agriculture: Maryland faces fallout from pollution and fish die-offs tied to dairy and soybean operations, as regulators weigh discharges and enforcement. Commercial real estate: Hyatt Commercial added a new Annapolis sales and leasing associate, signaling continued activity in industrial, office, retail and medical leasing. Consumer policy: Maryland’s new consumer protection laws take effect, including rules on dynamic pricing and cash payment access for essential products.

Food & Safety: USDA recalled 4,500+ pounds of imported Sempio Korean Ginseng chicken stew sold in eight states, including Maryland, after a missed reinspection; no illnesses reported. Aquaculture & Nutrition: USDA research says farmed Atlantic salmon now has less than half the omega-3s (DHA/EPA) compared with earlier federal assumptions, with Maryland samples included in the study. Defense Manufacturing: Northrop Grumman plans to quadruple U.S. semiconductor output by 2030 to supply radar, electronic warfare, communications, and satellite systems. Energy & Environment: Curtis Bay Energy agreed to stop incinerating medical waste under a state settlement, cutting operations sharply and paying $600,000 in penalties. Chesapeake Bay Pressure: Maryland fined a developer for repeated sediment runoff into a Gunpowder River tributary; separately, a soybean processor permit could allow up to 5x more PFAS-polluted discharge, sparking resident pushback. Rural Utilities: USDA awarded about $40M to bolster rural water and wastewater training, mapping, and technical support. Local Industry & Jobs: Prince George’s County and businesses are pressing for local hiring commitments tied to the proposed National Harbor Sphere. Logistics & Tradepoint: Trump is set to visit Tradepoint Atlantic in Baltimore County, highlighting the site’s role in cargo and potential defense-tech expansion.

Key Bridge rebuild transparency: Maryland launched a public dashboard so drivers can track the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement as work ramps up toward a 2030 opening, with monthly updates and project “source of truth” details. Utility regulation: The Maryland Public Service Commission scheduled three virtual hearings on BGE’s electric base rate case (Case No. 9888), with written comments due Dec. 23. Energy infrastructure: Eastern Shore Natural Gas filed with FERC for a ~$75M Delmarva pipeline capacity expansion, adding 15,800 dekatherms/day across Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Power policy fight: States and cities sued the Trump administration over EPA’s rollback of power-plant greenhouse gas limits, arguing the move guts major climate protections. Oysters and seafood economy: DNR released its 2021-2025 oyster management review, citing decade-high reproduction and progress across sanctuaries, public fishery areas and aquaculture. Local business hit: Guinness’ Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe is shutting down Nov. 1, leaving unanswered questions about the site’s next chapter. Tech + retail: Walmart rolled out “Shop to Light” digital shelf-tag LEDs to help shoppers find items via its app.

Nuclear & Data Centers: Amazon and Constellation struck a 20-year deal to expand Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant, backing $3B+ in upgrades and adding 190 MW between 2030 and 2032—aimed at powering the PJM region as AI and data center demand surges. Energy Regulation: Maryland’s PSC ended its multi-year rate plan pilot after finding goals largely unachieved and customer benefits unclear, while the state also moved to support grid flexibility and storage incentives. Housing & Construction: Gov. Wes Moore signed orders to speed up housing delivery by pushing cost-efficient building methods and creating a task force to cut permitting and licensing bottlenecks. Solar & Grid Flexibility: Maryland’s Next Generation Energy Act procurement conditionally awarded a battery storage project an energy storage capacity credit, as other states advance balcony/plug-in solar—though safety and standards lag. Cannabis Policy: Charles County approved a one-year moratorium on most cannabis growing zones, carving out personal cultivation rights under state law. Local Business & Jobs: Cozi Furniture expanded its Ashley Furniture selection for Maryland and the DMV; Dessert39 plans new Maryland stores after strong early U.S. sales. Workforce & Immigration: H-2B approvals continued across sectors, including manufacturing approvals tied to Maryland worksites.

Nuclear Power Deal: Constellation and Amazon struck a 20-year power purchase agreement to fund a major upgrade at Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant, adding about 190 MW and supporting another two decades of operation. Advanced Manufacturing: Goodfellow opened a new precision engineering center in Columbia, investing £1.5M (about $2M+) to expand micro-machining and advanced materials work, with up to 20 new jobs. Cybersecurity & Compliance: DigiFlight named Melody Berry to lead cybersecurity and CMMC readiness engagements, including C3PAO audit support and mock assessments for DoD-focused customers. Workforce Pipeline: RadNet partnered with WIN-NextGen to introduce Maryland-area students and young adults to radiology careers through mentorship, digital learning, and imaging-center shadowing. Food & Consumer Safety: FDA recall alerts flagged raw milk cheese tied to an E. coli investigation, plus peperoncini and cinnamon products pulled over contamination and lead concerns. Energy/Policy Watch: Maryland’s Oct. 1 law rollout includes consumer pricing protections, child care background checks, and MVA enforcement on out-of-state vehicle registration. Local Housing: Montgomery County backed office-to-housing conversions that hit the affordable-housing minimum, while estimating significant tax revenue foregone over 20-year deals.

Nuclear & Data Centers: Constellation and Amazon signed a 20-year power deal to fund about $3B in upgrades at Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs, adding ~190 MW of emissions-free capacity by 2030-2032 and supporting a 20-year relicensing push. Energy Costs & Consumer Impact: Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman is urging electric utilities to return more than $250M in sales-tax refunds to ratepayers after a state Supreme Court ruling. Workforce & Construction: Prince George’s County is weighing up to $215M in bonds for Sphere at National Harbor while labor terms remain a sticking point, with negotiations focused on project labor and union workforce requirements. Housing & Development: Homes for America opened 83 affordable units in North Baltimore’s Clare Court II, adding permanent supportive housing and new construction on a historic site. Food & Watermen: Maryland’s oyster season starts Oct. 1 amid weaker demand and lower wholesale shucked-meat volumes, with the state launching a “Game Day on the Half Shell” push to boost sales. Tech & Government Delivery: Maryland’s IT oversight is shifting from just launching major projects to tracking user outcomes through its Launchpad modernization process. Workplace Rights: Maryland’s “captive audience” employer meeting limits begin Oct. 1, banning mandatory political/religious meetings for employees and job applicants. Flood Risk & Courts: A Prince George’s County floodplain takings case goes to trial as a landowner challenges decades-old floodplain determinations.

Maryland Housing Pressure: A Pew Charitable Trusts report says about 21% of Maryland poverty is tied to above-average housing costs, with the state facing a major supply gap and urging faster building to cut rents. Data Centers & AI Governance: Gov. Wes Moore is pushing new quantum and data-center standards, including “Capital of Quantum” expansion with Paladin Capital and tighter accountability for data center growth. Energy & Courts: Big Oil is back at the U.S. Supreme Court as climate-change liability suits by state and local governments face a major test. Solar Policy Watch: States are approving balcony “plug-in” solar, but safety and standards still lag behind the fast-moving market. Maritime & Construction Dollars: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $25.7M contract for Ocean City beach restoration after a nor’easter, adding to the region’s storm-recovery workload. Consumer & Tech Risk: Maryland’s consumer protection beat includes a multistate data breach settlement and ongoing scrutiny of how tech handles user data and pricing. Local Business Spotlight: Cecil County’s MaNE Collective opened in North East, adding chair-rental salon services and plans for training partnerships.

Key Bridge rebuild: MDOT/MDTA hosted Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild boat tours Monday, letting officials and the public see pile driving and the overwater trestle as foundations for the cable-stayed span get underway—an economic lifeline for Baltimore and the state. Coastal construction: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $25.7M Ocean City beach renourishment contract, targeting about 982,000 cubic yards of sand from Weaver Shoal, with work expected late 2026/early 2027. Housing policy: New Maryland renter/landlord laws take effect Oct. 1, including changes to criminal-history screening, protections for tenants using income-based housing subsidies, rental payment reporting, and cooling requirements for certain apartments. Energy & utilities: Exelon’s BGE/Delmarva/Pepco plan to seek approval to return about $160M in tax refunds to Maryland customers after the state lost a court battle, with regulators deciding timing and allocation. AI & data governance: DHA is asking industry for input on hosting and integrating data for OBHAT/BHAS, while federal AI/personalized-pricing debates keep heating up nationwide. Local business support: Garrett County released its FY 2026 annual business development report, highlighting hundreds of business visits, dozens of ribbon cuttings, and small-business marketing grants. Environment & health: Columbia residents and scientists urged Maryland to deny W.R. Grace’s plastic recycling research permit, citing concerns about health and environmental impacts.

AI & Retail Pricing: Walmart CEO John Furner says the retailer won’t use AI to set personalized prices, pledging “we price the product, not the person,” and vowing not to use customer relationships to charge more. Maryland Consumer Protection: Maryland’s Oct. 1 law bars large food retailers and delivery services from using certain dynamic-pricing or consumer surveillance data to charge individuals higher prices, with required disclosures for algorithmic pricing. Data Centers & MD Real Estate: As Gov. Wes Moore’s data-center guardrails roll out, Maryland’s commercial real estate market is still trying to line up sites and deals amid moratoriums, bans, and new accountability expectations. Workforce & AI Outlook: A Moore administration survey of 276 Maryland AI decision-makers finds only 4% expect AI to eliminate jobs; most expect higher output or capacity without headcount cuts. Construction Safety: Maryland’s Job-Site Safety Institute and Comer Construction launch a pilot on Type II safety helmets to reduce traumatic brain injuries. Freight & Logistics: A Freight Distress Report flags job cuts and shutdowns affecting about 1,850 workers across 15 freight-related companies, including Maryland-linked operations. Energy & Affordability: Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman urges utilities to pass along a $250M refund to ratepayers via credits after a state court ruling. Local Water Infrastructure: Easton secures $2.62M in federal funding for a new drinking water well and pump house, aiming to keep bills stable for about 7,000 customers.

Data Centers & AI Policy: Maryland’s governor signed a responsible data center development framework, aiming to tighten standards and revisit tax incentives as local communities push back on the boom. Consumer Tech & Pricing: Walmart CEO John Furner says the retailer won’t use personal data to set prices, as regulators and advocates debate “personalized” or “surveillance” grocery pricing. Cyber & Privacy: A multistate settlement targets Labcorp after a 2019 breach, with stronger vendor security rules; meanwhile, watchdogs say IRS AI documentation is inconsistent. Food & Agriculture: USDA recalled 4,596 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken stew distributed across eight states over inspection concerns; Maryland Extension also rolled out a deer-damage playbook for farmers. Energy & Utilities: Easton Utilities won $2.6M in federal funding for a new drinking-water well and control building. Local Business & Growth: Barrio Burrito Bar expanded via a Nevada master franchise deal, adding 32 planned restaurants over two decades. Construction & Municipal Operations: Baltimore is using clearer polycarbonate boarding on vacant homes to reduce fire risk and improve upkeep.

Consumer Fraud Crackdown: Maryland AG Anthony G. Brown’s Securities Division says a Prince George’s County man, Stanley G. Richards, was permanently banned from the securities industry and hit with a $5.92M fine tied to the NovaTech pyramid scheme, which pitched crypto/forex trading returns to investors. AI & National Security: President Trump plans dinner with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei after a court setback upheld the Pentagon’s “supply chain risk” label for Claude models—keeping AI safety and defense procurement in the spotlight. Energy Grid Buildout: The U.S. Department of Energy announced $1.9B in SPARK grants to boost transmission capacity by reconductoring lines and adding grid upgrades across 26 states, aiming to cut congestion and help power the AI-driven demand surge. STEM Workforce Pipeline: Garrett County’s FIRST robotics team visited Kent County to help launch a new FRC team for 2027, expanding rural STEM opportunities. Maryland Business Banking: A bipartisan push would protect small business deposits, while separate coverage highlights how regulators and lawmakers are tightening rules around consumer finance and marketplace practices.

Coastal Resilience: Ocean City crews will inspect 10 miles of beach after a nor’easter surged flooding and forced Oceans Calling cancellations, with officials pointing to Army Corps beach replenishment plans as they assess erosion and dune repair. Energy & Grid: The U.S. Energy Department unveiled a near-$2B push to boost capacity on existing transmission lines nationwide, aimed at meeting rising demand tied to data centers, though Maryland wasn’t included in the first batch. Trade & Agriculture: Maryland’s trade hit from a U.S.-Canada tariff fight is getting sharper, with tractors and other farm equipment among the state’s key exports and retaliatory tariffs raising uncertainty for rural supply chains. NFL Field Ops (Local Angle): Ahead of the Ravens-Cowboys Brazil game at Maracana, NFL field leadership says turf work is complete after player-safety concerns over bumps and patchy grass. Food Safety: Maryland testing helped trigger a recall of Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning in six states due to elevated lead; consumers are urged to check lot codes and stop using affected jars. Workforce Visas: USCIS reported 3,272 H-2B worker approvals tied to Maryland worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 99.8% approval rate.

Data Centers & State Policy: Maryland is tightening its data center approach, with Gov. Wes Moore signing a new executive order that sets guardrails and review standards while opponents push back on tax exemptions and moratoriums. Housing Costs & Local Taxes: A Maryland task force is weighing whether counties and municipalities should gain broader power to raise property-linked taxes and fees—housing groups warn it could price buyers out. Energy & Grid Pressure: A nor’easter is battering the East Coast, bringing coastal flooding, outages, and travel disruption that hits the DMV and beyond. Solar & Local Planning: A town is moving forward with a proposed Radio Lane solar farm, backed by potential Maryland Energy Administration grants. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Woodsboro began leak detection and found seven leaks, including three significant ones, with state coordination needed for work near Route 550. AI & Cyber Risk: OpenAI says its models’ agents interacted with multiple U.S. government websites in unexpected ways, prompting ongoing review and notifications. Food & Agriculture Tech: UMD researchers report a CRISPR-based test that can spot and distinguish three quarantine sugarcane viruses in one assay. Consumer/Health Compliance: Maryland AG Anthony Brown praised a ruling keeping the state’s Glock ban in effect while it heads toward a Jan. 1, 2027 start.