By Carl Hamilton
February 20, 2026
PERRYVILLE – An energy crisis is squeezing Cecil County.
Several of the approximately 30 leaders representing Cecil County government, business, industry, agriculture, tourism, education and other areas made that clear Tuesday during a roundtable meeting with U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) at the Great Wolf Lodge Conference Center.
Alsobrooks’ visit was designed to give the senator a “direct window” into what Cecil County is “seeing and experiencing on the ground,” in hopes that it will inform her decisions when creating national legislation, according to the agenda.
Each speaker was given two minutes to give the senator an overview of opportunities and also to specify the constraints that are slowing and impeding progress. While several topics were covered, including a need to create a better skilled workforce, a common theme in several of the presentations was the energy crisis that is hampering Cecil County.
“The demand for electricity exceeds our supply,” said Michael Ratchford, chairman of the Cecil County Economic Development Committee and government relations officer with W. L. Gore Associates.
Then, relaying information he had received from a Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection (PJM) representative earlier this month, Ratchford reported, “There will be possible blackouts, especially in the summer months.”
Rachford urged Alsobrooks to push for permitting reform to expedite the construction of power-source facilities, which would increase the electricity supply. That, in turn, would lower power costs. Alsobrooks sits on the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Permitting is this: Before energy developers can build and operate infrastructure, including solar farms, pipelines and transmission lines, they are legally required to complete an authorization process in which county, state and federal governments review projects in make sure they are in accordance with safety, environmental and land-use regulations. The process takes time; meeting requirements sometimes translates to more costs.
Maryland imports much of its electricity from other states because it is not a major power producer.
“The most pressing challenge is energy demand,” Jack Schammel, CEO of the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce, told Alsobroooks,
Electricity costs have risen astronomically and are cutting deeply into profit margins, making it especially difficult for small businesses to survive, according to Schammel.
To illustrate his point, Schammel reported that the owner of a small-business grocery store elsewhere in Maryland received a monthly electricity bill on Feb. 2 for $57,960.
Those energy crisis concerns were echoed by others, including Alice Crothers, owner and operator of Rising Sun-area Long Green Farms, a multi-generational dairy farm; and Gary Stewart Jr., president of Stewart Properties, which developed the land for The Great Wolf Lodge and the adjacent Hollywood Casino and also is partner in the construction of Exit 95 on Interstate 95.
“The energy infrastructure is limiting,” Crothers said.
In addition, Crothers expressed concern over tariffs and U.S. trade agreements that have increased operational costs, which already have been negatively affected by the energy crisis. Other speakers representing Cecil County interests also listed existing tariffs and current trade agreements as burdensome.
“We have low commodity prices against rising costs. One-fifth of all milk is exported to Mexico. We need better trade agreements,” Crother said.
Alsobrooks acknowledged that “a lot of references to the energy crisis” had been made by roundtable speakers during her closing comments.
“The energy crisis is very important to us,” she said.
The senator told the Cecil Whig after the roundtable discussion that the energy crisis is prevalent across the United States, raising costs and reducing profits. Alsobrooks said “some rules and regulations” must be changed “in a reasonable way” to stop the energy crisis. Likewise, she said tariffs and U.S. trade agreements with other countries need to be addressed.
In her opening statements, after touring Great Wolf Lodge, Alsobrooks marveled, “How amazing that we have something like this in Maryland.” Places like Great Wolf Lodge “drives our economy,” she said.
Cecil County Executive Adam Streight formally welcomed Alsobrooks at the start of the roundtable meeting.
“Your visit means a great deal to our community, and we truly appreciate your willingness to come here, listen and engage directly with the people and industries that shape our region,” Streight said.