Gov. Moore Proposes to Let Marylander Freeze in the Dark

Balmer Sun, Amid Piedmont power line fight, a search energy alternatives

As the fight over the proposed 70-mile Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project intensifies, community and state leaders continue to push for alternatives.

“Unless there’s adjustments, I don’t see a plan moving forward,” Gov. Wes Moore said. “I don’t understand how the study area was pulled together without the level of both state and community involvement that was necessary.”

PJM, the regional transmission organization that coordinates electricity between 13 states, said the proposed transmission line, which would run through Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties, is critical to ensure a reliable grid. With power plants retiring, more data centers are projected to be built, and electrification growing, officials said there is the potential for rolling blackouts and brownouts if this transmission line isn’t built.

Maryland is a net importer of electricity, which means the state uses more power than it generates.

However, the project has received fierce opposition from residents and state leaders, who are concerned about how the line could impact property values, livelihoods, and protected farmland, among other concerns. Residents have expressed outrage over the proposed project at public meetings, especially since much of the project load growth is related to data centers.

If approved by the state, Public Service Enterprise Group, the transmission line developer, could have the right to obtain property rights through eminent domain.

“I’m still not certain what the benefit is to Marylanders and I’m going to stand with the people on this,” said Moore, a Democrat.

During a town hall hosted by political commentator and Baltimore Sun co-owner Armstrong Williams Monday, Joanne Frederick, the President of the Board of Directors for Stop MPRP, along with Mark Aitken, the president of One Media Technologies and senior vice president of advanced technology at Sinclair Broadcast Group, pointed to other energy alternatives.

We live within a mile (maybe less) of a power line and its right-of-way that carries all the power from a 3.8 gigawatt nuclear power plant up north towards Baltimore, and it almost never impacts my living. It crosses hills and wetlands, and, in fact, can be a pleasant place to walk. If you don't want electricity brought in, don't use it.