Proposed solar farm could be largest of its kind in Maryland
WESTERNPORT — A solar farm proposed near Westernport could become the largest of its kind in Maryland.
REV Renewables, which recently completed the construction of a 26-megawatt solar facility 3 miles south of Frostburg, will undertake the project, if it's approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission.
The company, headquartered in New York, owns and operates energy facilities from California to Maine.
A virtual public hearing about the project was held Tuesday evening by the PSC.
The developer applied for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which grants an applicant the authority to construct an energy generating station, in December.
Micheal Svedeman, the senior director of project development for REV, gave a presentation about the project.
'We work closely with local communities throughout those (projects),' he said.
REV hopes to have the project completed by late 2027.
The project, known as the Jade Meadow III Solar Project, would be 300 megawatts and have two arrays.
The solar panels would be primarily located in Garrett County, with a portion of the new transmission line run through Allegany County.
Located just northwest of Westernport, the facility will straddle the border between the two counties on the eastern slope of Big Savage Mountain.
'It is one of the largest solar projects to be proposed in Maryland to date,' Svedeman said.
According to REV, it will be able to power the equivalent of 42,500 homes annually.
The construction and upkeep of the facility will also create about 350 or more jobs.
Just like the facility south of Frostburg, the solar fields will be built on former coal mining lands.
'The majority of the parcels have been historically both strip and underground mined for coal,' Svedeman said.
REV plans to work with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to 'revegetate' the land with native pollinator seed mixes.
'We view this as a good use for historically mined land,' Svedeman said.
Jason Harper was the only local resident to comment on the project.
'I live in the area and I'm looking forward to it,' he said.
Written comments can be sent electronically at www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment. Comments can also be sent by mail to Jamie Bergin, Chief Clerk, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul St., 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.
All comments should reference Case No. 9769.
Additional public hearings for the project will be held Aug. 4.
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