North America | September 17, 2024

Plans for Maryland Transmission Line Run Up Against Land Preservation Goals

The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project illustrates the complex balance between enhancing energy infrastructure and preserving critical land resources.

 

The proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) is facing significant opposition from local communities and preservation organizations due to concerns over its environmental impact and potential conflicts with land conservation goals. This project, which entails the construction of a 70-mile high-voltage transmission line, aims to alleviate system overloads in the region but has raised alarms regarding its effects on natural landscapes and historic sites.

Project Overview

The MPRP, initiated by Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), is designed to connect an existing transmission line in northern Baltimore County with southern Frederick County. The project proposes to enhance the reliability of Maryland’s electrical grid by installing a 500-kV overhead power line that traverses agricultural lands, parks, and historic areas. While PSEG describes the project as necessary for improving energy delivery, local residents and environmental advocates argue that it poses serious risks to the region’s ecological integrity and cultural heritage.

Community Concerns

Opposition to the MPRP has been vocal among residents in Carroll, Frederick, and Baltimore counties. Key concerns include:

  • Environmental Impact: Critics highlight that the proposed route intersects with significant natural landmarks such as Gunpowder Falls State Park and Prettyboy Reservoir. The installation of power lines could disrupt local ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
  • Historic Preservation: The project threatens historic sites, including Civil War battlefields and agritourism businesses. Preservation Maryland has expressed alarm over potential damage to areas like the Union Mills Historic District.
  • Agricultural Disruption: Farmers have raised concerns about how the power lines could affect their operations. For instance, organic farmers fear that herbicide use along the transmission lines could jeopardize their organic certifications.

Calls for Alternative Solutions

Residents are advocating for alternative routes that utilize existing power line corridors to minimize environmental disruption. They argue that this approach would better align with Maryland’s land preservation goals, which aim to conserve 30% of state land by 2030 under the Maryland the Beautiful Act. This act underscores the importance of protecting agricultural, ecological, and historical resources from development pressures.

Government Response

Local government officials have echoed community sentiments, urging PSEG to engage in more transparent dialogue with residents. Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski has called for comprehensive justifications for the project, emphasizing the need for detailed load forecasts and exploring less invasive options such as underground transmission lines.

Frederick County officials have also demanded greater public involvement in decision-making processes and have expressed strong opposition to using eminent domain for property acquisition related to the project.

Source: Bay Journal