BALTIMORE — A deadline to stop giant power lines from cutting across dozens of miles of privately owned land is quickly approaching.
The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project would affect residents in Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick Counties.
Maryland's Public Service Commission has given petitioners until February 17 to intervene before a decision is made.
The group "Stop MPRP" posted guidance on how to file to be an intervenor on its website.
PSEG Renewable Transmission LLC sought a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Commission on New Year's Eve.
The proposed route is 150 feet wide and 70 miles long, spanning beyond Ballenger Creek Pike in Frederick County to Parkton in Baltimore County.
On January 31 the Board of Carroll County Commissioners filed their opposition to the project. Frederick County filed suit on February 7.
Frederick County is also looking to the State Legislature to partially block the project on the grounds of eminent domain.
"Our community has been clear that we oppose the project and are concerned about its impact on residents, natural and historic resources, and our economy and quality of life," stated a letter to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, signed by Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and seven council members.
In vouching for Senate Bill 0189, Fitzwater and company 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
The bill, which still awaits a committee vote, would prohibit the taking of property that's subjected to permanent agricultural and conservation easements.
Baltimore County was last to file a petition of intervention.
County Executive Kathy Klausmeier made the announcement February 10, echoing Frederick County's concerns over easement protections.
"Protecting the best interests of our residents and agricultural community while maintaining the County’s conservation easements and preserved land are our top priorities,” said Klausmeier. “While Baltimore County does not have the legal authority to stop the project, we will continue to work with our state and Council partners to share serious concerns about its impacts and protect our County’s agricultural legacy and land preservation interests.”
The Baltimore County Council also passed a resolution in October opposing the project.
Delegate Nino Mangione, who represents District 42A, has intervened on behalf of his constituents as well.
The Shipley Family in Westminster submitted a petition as well, arguing the project would not only impact their generations old farm, but nine homes on the property which are already zoned. The family noted how some of their land is leased to Baugher's orchard, a Westminster landmark, that attracts tens-of-thousands of visitors per year.
In November the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) released a study indicating the project could disrupt over 500 acres of state forests and wetlands.
If approved, the power lines would go up by 2027.
Officials say the project is needed to prevent "widespread and severe reliability problems."
“This project is needed to preserve grid reliability for Maryland consumers as electricity demand increases and generation resources are retiring both in the state and in the broader PJM region," said Paul McGlynn, Vice President of PJM, the independent Regional Transmission Organization responsible for operating and planning Maryland's electric grid. "Transmission overloads this severe can lead to widespread and extreme conditions such as system collapse and blackouts if not addressed."
For more information on the project, click here.
