On March 6, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 483 – Public Utilities – Alternatives to Construction of New Transmission Lines.
This bill introduces additional considerations and requirements for transmission lines, including the evaluation of alternative routes. It is a commonsense policy that balances Maryland’s growing energy demand with the state’s multi-billion-dollar investment in pro-climate initiatives.
From MACo Testimony:
Since the 1960s, counties and the State have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into conservation, and to date, counties have actively limited development in these preserved areas. The intent of HB 657 is to respond to the Piedmont Project by requiring both the Public Service Commission and the applicant to more thoroughly justify a project’s proposed route and to consider alternatives. As transmission infrastructure upgrades may uniquely be accomplished by upgrading existing lines or using existing land, counties join the sponsor in wanting to protect the finite number of conserved lands.
More on MACo’s Advocacy:
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