20-02-2025
187 petitions to intervene in Piedmont powerline project were filed by Monday
The Maryland Public Service Commission received 187 'petitions to intervene' by Monday in the controversial Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a proposed 70-mile high-voltage transmission line through Carroll, Frederick and Baltimore counties. The petitions were filed by property owners, elected officials and nonprofits in each of the affected counties.
A petition to intervene with the Maryland Public Service Commission allows individuals or entities to become a formal participant, enabling them to participate in the legal process, present evidence and influence the outcome. The original deadline to file was Monday, but it has been extended to Feb. 24.
The Public Service Enterprise Group has been contracted by PJM, the organization that operates and plans Maryland's electric grid, to build the $424 million power line.
The Public Service Commission is expected to hold public hearings allowing those who filed the petitions to comment on the project. The commission, the state agency that regulates public utilities, has the authority under the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity statute to make the final decision.
A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity provides authority to construct or modify a new generating station or high-voltage transmission lines. That means the Public Service Enterprise Group must apply for the certificate to begin construction of the power line.
Carroll County Times | Ready hopes two eminent domain bills will help Carroll residents with Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project opposition
Carroll County Times | Carroll County files petition to intervene in Piedmont powerline project
Carroll County Times | FOX45: 'We are planning with blinders on.' Officials respond as Piedmont power line debate continues
Carroll County Times | Carroll lawmakers plan to support statewide measures to hamper power line project
Carroll County Times | 'No clearly superior alternatives': In PSEG's application, company says power line through Carroll, Frederick and Baltimore counties is best option
The Maryland Public Service Commission's case number 9773 lists the names of property owners, elected officials, county representatives and nonprofits that submitted a petition to intervene. It goes on for 21 pages.
The listed names include Carroll County Government, the Office of the County Attorney for Frederick County, Sierra Club, former Maryland Sen. David Brinkley, Baltimore County, residential developers and the Maryland Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Frederick County Farm Bureau, Carroll County Farm Bureau and Baltimore County Farm Bureau.
In Carroll County, Baugher's Farm, 1015 Baugher Road in Westminster, is listed. Dwight Baugher, president of Baugher Enterprises, Inc. lives on the farm property. The MPRP line will pass over the farm's pond, which is 800 feet from Baugher's front porch, the petition states.
'The lucrative agrotourism businesses of Baugher Enterprises have become an integral part of Carroll County economics,' the petition states. 'Now, however, the fate of the farm's businesses is being jeopardized by the MPRP powerline.'
Have a news tip? Contact Sherry Greenfield at sgreenfield@ 240-315-7029.
