Developer Sends Maryland Officials Letter About Power Line Dispute

FREDERICK, Md. (WBFF) – A New Jersey-based energy developer sent a letter to Maryland lawmakers Friday predicting a busy fall season and continuing to report on his controversial power line project.

The Public Service Energy Group said it wanted to update elected officials on its new 70-mile transmission line that would cut through hundreds of acres of preserved farmland, private properties and suburban neighborhoods in Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties.

“I am writing to provide an update on the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) and information about the next steps in advancing this project,” wrote PSEG Project Manager Jason Kalwa. “We know there is great public interest and many questions, so we would like to clarify some important points.”

Over the summer, outrage erupted in the community after FOX45 News first reported on a then-little-known project. Nonpartisan organizations have brought together political leaders and residents from various corners to oppose the massive power line.

Protests against the MPRP focused on the possible use of eminent domain to seize private property for the construction of the overhead power lines and their utility poles. Other concerns centered on objections to hidden procedures, a lack of detail in the development plan and concerns about health and environmental impacts.

“When I read reports that eminent domain was an option, you would think they were trying to hide it,” Del said. Nino Mangione, R-Baltimore County, during a forum on the project in August. “To me that means a company from New Jersey came to the state of Maryland looking for a fight.”

PSEG said in its most recent update letter to lawmakers that it had prioritized transparency throughout the summer, focusing on what it said was the project's key driver – reliability.

“Over the summer, PSEG held numerous public meetings in person and virtually to share information about the project and its potential routes,” Kalwa wrote. “We received and processed over 5,300 public comments expressed during these meetings.”

PSEG and regional electric grid operator PJM told FOX45 News that considering reliability is a key component of the MPRP. PSEG acknowledged in early July that unknown amounts of power would be transferred to data centers in Northern Virginia as the region's technology sector expanded rapidly.

“PJM identified 7,500 megawatts of load growth and some of that load growth is in data centers,” Kalwa told FOX45 News in July.

Meanwhile, Kalwa adjusted the project's focus in his latest letter to lawmakers.

“PJM has indicated that the project is necessary to ensure the reliability of Maryland’s electricity consumers,” Kalwa wrote. “It should also reduce congestion to promote affordability in Maryland.”

FOX45 News reported in mid-August that Marylanders could expect significantly higher energy costs through 2025 due to the closure of fossil fuel power plants across the state.

PJM said in emails at the time that the increase in energy transmission costs was due to a combination of escalating energy problems in the state. The network operator cited rapid power plant closures, increasing energy demand, green energy policy priorities and an outdated power grid as reasons for the increased costs.

“In Maryland, utilities are unregulated and do not generate the majority of their own electricity,” Aaron Rudy of Dominion Energy told FOX45 News. “Virginia is different. Because we are a regulated utility, we generate the majority of our own electricity and rely much less on the wholesale and capacity markets.”

PJM records also show that 92% of the energy slated for elimination in Maryland comes from power plants designated to provide electricity to BGE customers. According to PJM, only 5% of renewable energy projects have historically made it to competition.

Kalwa added in his letter that a preferred route would be announced by mid-October. The routes available to choose from are shown on the map below.

FOX45 News sent five questions to PSEG on Wednesday regarding the updated letter. The questions sent were:

• Is PSEG confident that they have addressed community outrage over the MPRP?
• What is the schedule for the next round of public meetings? What will the format be?
• It has long been believed that Maryland's higher tariffs are due to the state importing significant amounts of outside energy beyond its borders. This letter now states that higher tariffs are based on higher transmission requirements. Which reason is correct?
• How many households are expected to be affected by the revised policy?
• Does PSEG believe the Maryland Public Service Commission will issue a certificate of development?

PSEG did not immediately respond to emailed questions. PSEG has announced that the project will be completed by June 2027.

“Throughout the project, we will continue to work with you and your constituents to minimize impacts to residents and our environment,” Kalwa wrote. “In addition, we anticipate minimal impact on all farms that are generally compatible with transmission lines.”