Maryland is facing a lose-lose decision: risk widespread blackouts in Baltimore and potentially Washington, D.C., or force up electrical bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
The state can get closer to achieving its clean energy goals if a massive coal plant shuts down on schedule, but the electrical grid is likely to eventually collapse under the pressure.
“I don’t think anybody is under any illusion about that, and I don’t think any of us see any kind of magical answer,” said Paul Pinsky, the director of the Maryland Energy Administration.