PSEG Files New Suit to Force Additional Survey Access Along Maryland Power-Line Route

PSEG Renewable Transmission LLC on July 15 filed a petition in the U.S. District Court for Maryland (Case No. 1:25-cv-2296) asking Judge Adam B. Abelson to grant it temporary rights to enter more than 200 properties along its proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project corridor for environmental and engineering surveys. The 84-page complaint names dozens of farms, trusts and individual homeowners from Doubs Station in Frederick County through Carroll County into northern Baltimore County, invoking Maryland Real Property § 12-111 to authorize non-invasive field work such as wetlands delineations, forest stand mapping, sensitive-species inspections and historic-resource assessments on their land.

PSEG’s filing explains that these surveys are mandatory under a state-led review by the Power Plant Research Program within the Department of Natural Resources, which must complete its environmental recommendations before the Maryland Public Service Commission can rule on PSEG’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity application. The petition underscores PJM Interconnection’s June 1, 2027 in-service deadline for the new 500 kV line, warning that delays in gathering site data could jeopardize both state and regional reliability requirements.

PSEG notes that it previously offered each landowner a one-time $1,000 payment and detailed protections against property damage, but that many refused voluntary access. Under the requested order, PSEG must still provide at least 24 hours’ notice before any entry, limit crews strictly to survey activities, and residents retain the right to seek damages if their land is harmed.

This new action follows a June 20 preliminary injunction in which the court already compelled an initial group of landowners in Frederick, Carroll and Baltimore counties to allow limited survey work on their parcels. That ruling similarly authorized PSEG survey teams to enter for environmental and engineering assessments—provided each homeowner received notice posted on their front door—and remains in effect until the PSC approves or denies PSEG’s certificate application. Under that injunction, landowners were assured that no permanent easements or construction would occur and were entitled to monthly progress reports starting July 21.

Homeowners named in the July 15 filing should expect certified court papers by mail, and should the new lawsuit also succeed, will be followed by access notices detailing survey schedules and contact information for PSEG’s land agents. While these surveys do not authorize building or long-term occupation, they are a critical step toward meeting both state environmental review deadlines and PJM’s reliability mandate for the new transmission line. Affected residents can contest any damage or timing issues through the courts or by communicating directly with PSEG’s agents.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

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