ANNAPOLIS, MD —
The Maryland Freedom Caucus announced a bold new initiative Wednesday, launching a multi-state coalition of conservative lawmakers to combat skyrocketing energy costs and shortages plaguing the Mid-Atlantic region.
The coalition—which includes representatives from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland—will hold its first public hearing on October 28 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, under the banner of “Powering the Mid-Atlantic.”
The move comes as households across the PJM Interconnection grid—spanning 13 states—face projected electricity bill increases of 30–60% following a contentious July 2025 capacity auction. The Freedom Caucus attributes the crisis to unreliable gas plants, delayed renewable projects, and surging demand from data centers, all worsened by what they call “overzealous climate mandates” from state and federal policymakers.
A Stand Against Regulatory Overreach
Maryland Delegate Brian Chisholm (R-Anne Arundel), a key figure in the coalition, minced no words in a statement accompanying the announcement.
“Politicians and special interest groups have traded energy independence for a delusional climate cultist ideology,” Chisholm said. “Every Maryland family is paying the price with skyrocketing bills and a dwindling energy supply.”
The coalition’s mission, he said, is to push for balanced grid policies that prioritize affordability and reliability over what they describe as impractical environmental agendas.
The Freedom Caucus, part of a national network of conservative state-level caucuses, has long advocated for limited government and fiscal responsibility. This new effort builds on recent federal actions, including emergency orders from U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright in August and September 2025, which directed the PJM Interconnection to keep critical power plants online to avert shortages during heat waves.
Regional Crisis, Unified Response
The coalition’s formation reflects growing recognition of shared transmission challenges across the Mid-Atlantic.
In Maryland, where Governor Wes Moore’s administration has advanced environmental legislation such as solar permitting reforms and extended producer responsibility laws, critics argue these policies have strained the energy grid.
The July PJM auction, which saw capacity costs soar to **$16.1 billion—a 9.5% jump from the previous year—**underscores the urgency of the issue, with zonal caps hitting $466.35 per megawatt-day in the Baltimore Gas and Electric zone.
Pennsylvania Delegate David H. Rowe, chairman of the Pennsylvania State Republican Policy Committee, echoed Chisholm’s sentiments, noting that the coalition aims to “find a balanced solution to a broken system.”
The Harrisburg hearing will feature testimony from lawmakers, industry experts, and affected consumers, offering a platform to challenge what the group sees as misguided priorities in Annapolis and beyond.
A Call for Common Sense
Supporters of the coalition argue it represents a much-needed counterweight to liberal energy policies that prioritize ideology over practicality.
The Freedom Caucus has invited public input, encouraging Marylanders to attend the hearing or submit comments online.
“This is about securing our energy future without bankrupting our families,” said James Appel, treasurer of the Maryland Freedom Caucus.
Critics, including environmental advocates, may counter that the coalition’s focus on maintaining fossil fuel infrastructure ignores long-term climate goals. However, with power outages projected to increase 100-fold by 2030 if current trends continue—per the Department of Energy’s Grid Reliability Evaluation—the Freedom Caucus insists its approach is both pragmatic and necessary.
As the October 28 hearing approaches, the coalition’s efforts are likely to spark heated debate. For Maryland residents already grappling with rising costs, the outcome could determine whether relief is on the horizon—or if the state’s energy woes will deepen.
Contact: Maryland Freedom Caucus, (667) 666-3033 | info@mdfreedomcaucus.org
Event Details: “Powering the Mid-Atlantic” Hearing, October 28, 2025, 10:00 AM EDT, Harrisburg, PA
For updates, follow @MDFreedomCaucus on X or visit mdfreedomcaucus.org.
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