Today is a defining moment for the Chesapeake Bay and for the future of Maryland. Governor Moore has announced a historic 50-year agreement for the Conowingo Dam—an agreement that secures more than $340 million in investments for clean water and the restoration of our Bay. This is about more than numbers. This is about protecting the heart of Maryland, and leaving a healthier, more vibrant home for generations to come.
This settlement—between Constellation Energy, Waterkeepers Chesapeake, and the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association—accelerates the clean water work our state has been fighting for. It ensures that Maryland’s largest renewable energy facility operates responsibly, while meeting the water quality standards that our people and our Bay deserve.
And it translates into real, tangible improvements:
- Over $87 million for pollution reduction, shoreline restoration, forest buffers, and underwater grasses;Nearly $78 million to remove an average of 600 tons of trash and debris every year;
- More than $28 million to restore fish and eel passage, helping species like American shad and river herring recover;
- Over $23 million to launch a freshwater mussel hatchery, seeding our rivers with these powerful natural filters; and
- Critical studies on dredging and controlling invasive species like snakeheads and blue catfish.
This agreement means our children and grandchildren will inherit cleaner rivers, healthier fisheries, and stronger communities. It means better recreation, thriving tourism, and new opportunities for Marylanders who depend on the Bay. And it shows what’s possible when government, industry, and environmental groups—all of us—come together to do what’s right.
If we want a sustainable tomorrow, we must lead with courage today. This agreement is proof of that leadership. It protects clean water. It strengthens ecosystems. It supports jobs, commerce, and energy security. And above all, it renews our promise to safeguard Maryland’s greatest natural treasure—the Chesapeake Bay.
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