BALTIMORE — Residents in three Maryland counties opposed to giant power lines cutting through privately owned land may soon be forced by court order to allow surveyors onto their property.
The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) is facing massive opposition from dozens of property owners in Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick Counties.
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), whose been tapped to lead the project, has tried for months to conduct environmental surveys on affected properties.
Officials claim miles of new power lines are required because Maryland imports 40 percent of its energy, meaning there isn't enough power currently generated to sustain the state's long-term needs.
The proposed power line route is 150 feet wide and 70 miles long, spanning beyond Ballenger Creek Pike in Frederick County to Parkton in Baltimore County.
Without completed environmental surveys, the project cannot start.
PSEG claims to have offered $1000 to temporarily step foot on these properties to survey, but in many cases, permission was either denied or requests went unanswered.
"Over the past 4 months, the MPRP team has engaged with property owners along the line on multiple occasions requesting access and offering monetary compensation to conduct these surveys," PSEG said in an April 9 statement. "Despite our efforts to engage with property owners and even offer reasonable compensation, we have been unable to gain voluntary access from a sufficient number of property owners that will allow us to conduct these environmental surveys."
PSEG insists granting permission to survey does not amount to an easement obligation, nor the surrender of eminent domain.
On April 15 PSEG officially filed a court motion to gain property access.
"To us, there's no money you can give us to use this land. It's our lives," Diane Shipley-Sprinkle said.
More than 30 members of the Shipley family live in the path of the proposed power lines threatening what can't be replaced: their family legacy.
They've lived on this land for more than 70 years.
"It looks like now if this should happen our dream is going to be down the tubes. Because it's going to split the family up, there's no doubt in my mind," family patriarch Larry Shipley said.
Though not included in Tuesday's order, the move sent a clear message.
"They just plan to plow right through it seems like they come from the perspective that their corporate gain is supposed to supersede what's already been established," Jennfier Diehl said.
Maryland family battles power line project
The group Stop MPRP, Inc. called PSEG's actions "an aggressive and unacceptable escalation against Maryland landowners."
“This is not neutral data collection—this is a tactical maneuver to justify the unjustifiable," said Joanne Frederick, President of Stop MPRP, Inc. "Communities deserve better than being told their land must serve a corporation’s purpose. Landowners across Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick counties are being asked to surrender their rights to help the utility justify a future taking. That’s backwards, unjust, and un-American."
Frederick says the group is consulting with attorneys, and monitoring the situation.
“This so-called survey is the first step toward permanent damage to our land, our peace of mind, and our community." said Frederick. “Landowners remain committed to protecting our farms, forests, and families—and will not be intimidated.”
Property owners are hardly the only ones opposed. Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick Counties have all filed interventions with Maryland's Public Service Commission.
Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater listed off several disruptions the project could create.
- 13 Forest Resource Ordinance easements
- 3 Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation easements
- 1 Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation district
- 2 Rural Legacy Easements
- 1 Maryland Environmental Trust easements
- 2 County Priority Preservation Areas
In November the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) released a study indicating the project could disrupt over 500 acres of state forests and wetlands.
PSEG conceded in October the chosen route was not the best option environmentally, yet it's believed to require fewer conservation easements, impacting less homes and communities.
Despite already filing with the courts, PSEG is still willing to negotiate compensation with land owners.
"We would prefer to avoid having to take court action we have decided to make one more public effort to request property owners to allow MPRP to conduct surveys on their property. PSEG is also willing to have discussions with landowners regarding compensation for the Right of Entry," PSEG said. "To reiterate, this is not an easement and does not grant permanent property rights or construction rights or obligate the landowner to grant an easement."
Meanwhile, Stop MPRP, Inc. is vowing to fight on.
"The organization urges all affected landowners and community members to stay informed and united," said Frederick. “Once again, private landowners are being forced to bear the burden of a broken energy planning system. Enough is enough. Every farm, every forest, every family home is part of Maryland’s future—not a blank check for a utility’s convenience."
Property owners wishing to speak with PSEG can do so by calling 833-451-6777.