(9/2024) Fall is almost here in Frederick County. The kids are back in school, apple cider donuts are in the grocery store, and soon the Catoctin Mountains will be ablaze with color. A quiet summer turned into a stressful one for many county residents as we learned about the impending Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) that would bring new high voltage transmission lines through Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties, potentially running through several residences and farms with successful agritourism operations. Because of significant system overloads projected for our regional electrical grid system, PJM determined that new overhead transmission lines are required to reinforce reliability with increasing regional demand for power. PJM stands for Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection. They are one of several RTOs (Regional Transmission Operators), and they are responsible for the planning of our electricity delivery.
The system that allows us to flip a light switch on or work on our computers most of the day is a complex partnership of not-for-profit regional planning organizations using federal and state guidelines with private companies ultimately contracting to execute the plans of the RTOs. Unfortunately, local government is not a decision maker in this process. As a county elected official, I can be a vocal advocate for county residents affected by the MPRP, but the County Council and the County Executive cannot deny or approve this project. I’m frustrated and disappointed by the lack of communication so far by PJM and the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), the company who was awarded the contract by PJM to execute the proposed upgrade.
The communication from PJM and PSEG to county and state government and to Frederick County residents has been unacceptable. This project was identified by PJM as a critical component for regional reliability in February of 2023, and project planning by PSEG began in early 2024. Public information sessions didn’t happen until July, and they intend to submit their final route recommendation to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) sometime this fall. That leaves only weeks for meaningful outreach to affected residents, and for residents to voice their concerns or opposition.
Last month, County Executive Fitzwater and the entire County Council sent a letter to the PSEG to express our profound concerns about the MPRP. We conveyed our disappointment with the lack of communication and called on them to create a transparent and inclusive public process. PSEG should conduct extensive and robust public outreach, including well-advertised public meetings and mailed communications to all potentially affected residents for the duration of this project.
In addition to the lack of timely communication about the MPRP, an adequate explanation about why the existing rights of way cannot be used with updated equipment has yet to be presented. The potential disruption to people’s lives and businesses demands these answers. We expressed opposition to putting new transmission lines on lands and historical sites in Frederick County that have been preserved by local, state, or federal designations. We informed them of the considerable harm that could come to growing agritourism businesses, if new high voltage power lines are installed on or near them.
We are engaged in this process and advocating on behalf of Frederick County residents. However, since the County Council does not have a vote on the final plan, it’s important for residents to also keep expressing their concerns and demanding better answers from the decision makers. Final decisions have not been made yet, and engagement makes a difference. Last month PJM revised a transmission line plan in Loudoun County, Virginia to use and upgrade existing power lines after hearing similar appeals from residents and local government. Hopefully, PJM will be as responsive to the residents of Frederick County.
Contact me with any questions at rknapp@frederickcountymd.gov
