A federal judge in Baltimore has granted PSEG, the New Jersey-based company behind the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP), limited access to private properties as it prepares for environmental and engineering surveys. This decision is expected to intensify ongoing debates about the project among local governments and community members who are concerned about its impact on their areas.
The MPRP includes plans to construct a new 500-kilovolt transmission line stretching roughly 67 miles from northern Baltimore County to southern Frederick County. PSEG was selected by PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission operator, to develop this project, which aims to alleviate anticipated system overloads and address an increase in electricity demand.
U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson issued a preliminary injunction last week, allowing PSEG and its contractors to enter private properties along the proposed route to perform surveying. To keep landowners informed, the court mandated that PSEG notify them at least 24 hours before any property entry, usually by posting a written notice on their front door.
The ruling comes after over 100 landowners initially denied PSEG survey access, prompting the company to pursue legal action earlier this year. Judge Abelson dismissed claims that PSEG lacked the legal grounds to access the properties prior to obtaining a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC).
In his decision, the judge emphasized that the PSC needs survey data to assess the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects of the project. The ruling warns that individuals who hinder authorized survey work could face contempt of court charges.
Prior directives from the Maryland Power Plant Research Program instructed PSEG to gain access for these essential field studies, which must be completed before the PSC can consider any CPCN application.
Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick counties have expressed their opposition to the current project proposal, urging for increased transparency, substantial public participation, and a meticulous examination of alternatives. Local leaders are particularly concerned about the implications for property rights, eminent domain issues, and potential long-term effects on their communities, including historic properties, agricultural land, and open spaces.
As it stands, the PSC has yet to receive a formal application for the MPRP, which will undergo a full review process along with other necessary state, federal, and local permits.
This decision and its repercussions remain a pivotal focus for stakeholders in the region as the debate continues over balancing infrastructure needs with community rights and environmental concerns.
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