(8/25) The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) has small towns in Carroll and Frederick Counties concerned over their futures. The 70-mile project is a 500,000-volt (500 kV) transmission line designed to respond to growing electric needs in Maryland and the surrounding region.
PJM, the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) which is responsible for operating and planning the regional electric grid in all or parts of 13 states, including Maryland, determined that system reinforcements are necessary due to significant system overloads in the region. In 2023 they began seeking solutions to address this need.
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), an award-winning New Jersey energy company, was awarded the project and during their evaluation of existing rights-of-way (ROWs) in the defined project area, it was determined that the existing ROWs can traverse through populated areas and developed neighborhoods, environmentally sensitive areas (i.e. wetlands, waterways) and established parkland. PSEG has attempted to minimize impacts in these areas in their initial proposed routing, however they were unable to completely avoid the above areas.
The PSEG team will consider information gathered from multiple public information sessions, meetings with elected officials and agencies, and comments submitted to the project website before determining the best route for the lines.
An article written in the Brunswick-News Journal said, "There are ten possible routes between the two endpoints, several of which run through Frederick County. None are close to or in Brunswick, or for readers of our sister publications – Emmitsburg, Thurmont, Taneytown, Woodsboro or Walkersville – although it will skirt Union Bridge".
A resident of Union Bridge questioned the Council on the project at July’s meeting. Mayor Perry Jones said, "They have everybody in an uproar, and I think people must stay on top of this." He suggested concerned citizens contact their delegates and senators and let them know they are against it.
PSEG will pick its preferred route by September, after which it will apply to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) for a "certificate of public convenience and necessity" (CPCN). A CPCN is required before any construction can begin and is the final step in determining whether the project will or will not occur. A CPCN allows a new power generating station or high-voltage transmission line to be constructed.
A more detailed article was published in the Emmitsburg News Journal last month and is available on the website.
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