Maryland Public Service Commission, PSEG Accepting Public Comment
Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and Frederick County Council President Brad Young urge residents to provide feedback on a proposed high-voltage electrical transmission line that would run through Frederick County to the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) and the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC).
Due to significant system overloads in the region, PJM — the regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity through all or parts of 13 states, including Maryland — determined that system reinforcements are necessary and that a new overhead transmission line is required in the Piedmont Plateau region of Maryland. Accordingly, the PSEG proposed the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP).
The MPRP involves constructing a 500,000-volt transmission line stretching approximately 70 miles. The line would pass through northern Baltimore County and Carroll County and into an existing station in southern Frederick County.
“We are listening to residents who have concerns about this project and its potential impact on our community,” said County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. “It is critical for residents to make their voices heard at this – and every – stage of the process, and we urge concerned residents to weigh in with the Public Service Commission and PSEG.”
In determining the proposed project route and scope to respond to the PJM competitive window, PSEG evaluated paralleling existing rights-of-way (ROW) in the PJM-defined area of concern. However, existing ROWs can traverse populated areas, developed neighborhoods, environmentally sensitive areas (wetlands, waterways), and established parklands.
PSEG is considering routing alternatives to refine a viable route that considers and minimizes potential impacts on the built and natural environment. These alternatives are presented on the MPRP website as an interactive map, along with a stakeholder survey available from July 8 – July 19. A preferred route will be selected after meetings with interested stakeholders and public information sessions.
The PSC oversees utility projects within the state, while the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) handles interstate electricity transmission. Currently, neither agency has detailed information on the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project or PSEG’s plans, as PSEG has yet to submit a permit application for the necessary certificate of public conveyance and necessity (CPCN).
Following the initial public meetings, the PSC has created an email account where residents can submit their comments and concerns regarding the project. If the company applies for a permit to build its project, the comments will be part of the public record.
The final route of the transmission line is subject to the PSC’s CPCN process. The project is also subject to other federal, state, and local environmental and land use permitting requirements.
