PSEG Selects Proposed Route for Controversial MPRP Power Lines Across Maryland

MARYLAND News (10/18/2024) – Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) has announced its proposed route for a new power line project in Maryland, aimed at improving grid reliability across several counties. The company was awarded the project by PJM in December 2023, and it has since been working on identifying and refining potential routes for the 150-foot-wide right-of-way necessary for the infrastructure.

According to their website, PSEG, a diversified energy company based in Newark, New Jersey, brings over 120 years of experience to its projects, including the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP). PSEG has a long track record of completing large-scale, cost-effective transmission projects designed to provide reliable electricity to homes and businesses. Their expertise in 500kV transmission lines, a critical component of the electric grid, supports the company’s mission to deliver cleaner, safer, and more reliable energy. With a team of transmission planners, engineers, environmental specialists, and real estate professionals, PSEG emphasizes social responsibility and community engagement in the design and execution of its projects.

Initially, PSEG’s siting team evaluated various alternatives based on environmental, land use, social, and engineering criteria. The team used geographic information systems (GIS) and field reconnaissance to gather data and create 10 potential route options, which were released to the public in July 2024. Feedback was collected through public information sessions and an online survey, receiving over 5,300 comments.

As a result of this feedback, PSEG made adjustments to the route options. Significant concerns, such as avoiding the Peace and Plenty Historic District in Frederick County and a newly identified development area, were addressed in the revised routes. Despite some suggestions from the public, a proposed route paralleling existing 500kV infrastructure was ruled out due to its impact on residential areas.

After further analysis, Route H was selected as the preferred route. This option performed well in categories such as land use and engineering, as it impacted fewer residences and conservation areas and had fewer turns, which reduced cost and complexity. While it did not score as high in environmental criteria as other routes, its overall performance led to its selection.

However, the project has faced significant opposition from groups like Stop MPRP, Inc., citing concerns about financial, environmental, and community impacts.

Stop MPRP, Inc. argues that the $424 million project places an unfair financial burden on Maryland residents, despite primarily serving out-of-state corporations. They point out that while the project is designed to transport electricity from Pennsylvania to Northern Virginia, Marylanders will still bear part of the cost through their electric bills. Critics say that neither PJM, the regional transmission organization overseeing the project, nor New Jersey-based PSEG, has provided clarity on how, if at all, Maryland residents would benefit from the electricity carried by the new transmission lines.

The opposition group also raises concerns about the outdated infrastructure proposed for the MPRP. They argue that more modern and sustainable energy alternatives should be explored rather than relying on high-voltage transmission lines that pose environmental and community risks. The project would involve the installation of 140-foot-tall transmission towers, requiring permanent easements on private properties, which could disrupt the livelihoods of Maryland farmers and lead to a loss of valuable agricultural land.

In addition to these concerns, Stop MPRP, Inc. warns that eminent domain could be used to forcibly acquire land from property owners who do not voluntarily grant easements. This, they argue, sets a dangerous precedent and undermines property rights, leaving landowners vulnerable to future infrastructure projects.

Environmental impacts are also at the forefront of the opposition. The MPRP threatens over 4,000 acres of Maryland’s farmlands, forests, and wildlife habitats. Critics highlight the potential for long-term damage, including habitat loss, increased fire risks, and degradation of local ecosystems. The project could also affect water resources, soil health, and carbon storage, with cascading consequences for Maryland’s natural environment and landscape.

PSEG will continue to refine the proposed route through engineering, public feedback, and regulatory processes. The next round of public information sessions is scheduled for November 2024, with the company targeting a submission for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to the Maryland Public Service Commission by the end of the year or early 2025, depending on additional input from the public.

Upcoming sessions include November 12 (Baltimore County), November 13th (Carroll County), and November 14th (Frederick County). Public comment will close on November 15th.

Story by multiple RFHC contributors

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