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Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project
What Is It?
The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project proposes to construct a high-voltage electricity transmission line across approximately 70 miles of land, cutting through Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties. The company contracted to oversee the project and build the power line, the Public Service Enterprise Group, (PSEG), cannot begin work until granted approval by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC).
Frederick County Government has no legal authority in the approval or disapproval of this project, however, the County Executive and County Council strongly oppose the project and support residents in their advocacy to protect their homes and businesses, as well as the agricultural heritage, environmental resources, and valued historic amenities of our community.
Residents are urged to stay informed, express their concerns, and submit comments as part of the official public record for this project using the information below.
Instructions on how to submit public comment by mail or electronically can be found on the Maryland Public Service Commission's website: https://www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment/
Public Process and Project Status
PSEG filed an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the Maryland Public Service Commission on December 31, 2024. (Learn more about the process for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity.) The application is filed as Case Number 9773. The public is encouraged to attend hearings and/or submit input on this application.
To see all documents and comments filed as part of Case 9773, please visit: https://webpscxb.psc.state.md.us/DMS/case/9773
Residents are encouraged to comment on this application. Comments can be submitted by mail, email, or in person at public hearings. The MD Public Service Commission's instructions for submitting comments are here: https://www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment.
- Project Timeline
- Potential Impacts to County Assets
- Project DOCUMENTS & DETAILS
- Recorded Public MEETING 10.9.2024
Project and Frederick County Engagement Timeline
July 18, 2024: The Office of the County Executive issued a press release regarding the project and urged constituents to submit feedback to the Public Service Commission.
August 8, 2024: Frederick County Government directed a letter expressing concerns to PSEG, which can be read here. Council members Brad Young, Steve McKay, and Mason Carter declare open opposition to the project.
August 30, 2024: Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced that she will convene a community meeting that includes staff of the project development group. (See video under the tab for "Recorded Public Meeting 10.9.2024".)
September 4, 2024: A joint letter was directed to the Maryland Public Service Commission from the Frederick County Executive and County Council, to state their "strong opposition to the current proposals for the alignment of the new 70-mile 500kV transmission line."
September 4, 2024: County Executive (CE) Fitzwater announces a public meeting to be held with PSEG representatives in attendance.
September 27, 2024: CE Fitzwater sent a letter to Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection (PJM) urging the company to participate in the October 9 community meeting alongside representatives from PSEG.
September 27, 2024: MPRP Project Director Jason Kalwa sent a letter to update Maryland leaders on the project.
October 3, 2024: PJM Senior Vice President Asim Haque responded to CE Fitzwater's September 27 letter.
October 9, 2024: Frederick County hosts a public meeting in the auditorium of Oakdale High School. View PSEG's presentation. Watch a recording of the meeting.
October 18, 2024: PSEG announced adjustments to the proposed power line route that will be part of its final application to the Maryland Public Service Commission.
November 14, 2024: PSEG conducts a community meeting at the Brunswick Fire Hall.
November 18, 2024: CE Fitzwater and the Frederick County Council send a joint letter to the Maryland Public Service Commission opposing the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project.
December 9, 2024: Public Service Commission Chair Hoover responded to the Nov. 18 joint letter.
December 31, 2024: PSEG filed an application with the Maryland Public Service Commission for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
January 8, 2025: A bill (SB 0189) was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly to prohibit the taking of agricultural and conservation easements through the use of eminent domain. Frederick County Executive Fitzwater and the Frederick County Council support this bill. Read their testimony.
January 14, 2025: County CAO John Peterson briefs the County Council on the status of the MPRP at a scheduled public council meeting. CE Fitzwater announced that Frederick County Government will petition the MD Public Service Commission to intervene in opposition to PSEG's application.
January 22, 2025: PJM provides Frederick County Government with a document titled "Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project: A Needed Project that Benefits Marylanders."
February 14, 2025: PSEG releases an updated Environmental Review Document.
February 17, 2025: This date has been set by the MD Public Service Commission as the deadline for "petitions to intervene" in the matter of the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project. (The State announced this deadline on January 10, 2025. Additional information on the intervention process can be found on the Stop MPRP, Inc. website.)
May 13, 2025: Notice was given for a virtual pre-hearing conference for the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (Case No. 9773, scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 10 a.m. The pre-hearing conference is where any preliminary matters in this case will be discussed, as well as the establishment of the procedural schedule. Please see the official Public Service Commission Notice for details, including instructions to the party-intervenors.
July 28, 2025: The Maryland Public Service Commission filed a proposed schedule to assess a PSEG's application. The proposed procedural schedule recommended to the commission by its staff and the state Power Plant Research Program (PPRP) begins in fall of 2025, includes public hearings in 2026, and continues through March 2027. (See related Frederick News Post article.)
November 6, 2025: Several parties, including Frederick, Baltimore, and Carroll counties, as well as the Maryland Farm Bureau and private landowners, have filed a motion to dismiss PSEG's application with the MD Public Service Commission.
Eastern County map and Southern County map showing MPRP proposed access roads that will cross Agricultural Preservation easements and Forest Resource Ordinance easements.
The following parcels and projects lie within the zone of the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project's proposed route. You can see a map of these sites here.
| Directly Impacted Historic Resources | 8 |
| Indirectly Impacted Historic Resources | 19 |
| Forest Resource Ordinance Easements | 14 |
| Floodplain | 1.65 miles on 23 parcels |
| Agriculturally Zoned Parcels | 131 |
| Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easements | 3 |
| Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Districts | 1 |
| Rural Legacy Easements | 2 |
| Maryland Environmental Trust Easements | 1 |
| County Priority Preservation Areas | 2 |
| Rural Legacy Area | 1 |
| Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Built Projects | 3 |
| MS4 Identified Potential Projects | 1 |
| County-owned Properties That May Require a MS4 “Good Housekeeping Plan” | 2 |
Notes:
- There are other known archaeological sites under the route. These are primarily lithic scatter sites, which contain stone tool use remnants. The majority of the route has not had a Phase I archaeological assessment, so the full extent of archaeological resources is unknown.
- Historic resource impact analysis included above-ground and below-ground resources. Above-ground resources were also reviewed for visual impacts and were limited to resources no more than 2/10 of a mile away from the proposed route.
- Each Forest Resource Ordinance (FRO) Easement will require its own FRO Modification application, FRO Release Deed of Easement, new signs and fencing along the new easement line, and an inspection.
- The amount of actual impact to the floodplain will not be known until information is provided on tower placement, access road location, grading, etc.
- MS4 Built Projects could be impacted by potentially restricting inspection, maintenance, and other activities required by the State.
- The MS4 Identified Potential Project is a site identified and evaluated in 2017 for reforestation under the County’s Creek ReLeaf Program but has not yet enrolled.
- Under the State’s new MS4 Permit, the County will be evaluating all County-owned property that does not fall under the County’s Industrial Permit. Late in the Spring of 2025, the Department of Stormwater will be working with the parcel managers to determine what activities are occurring on these properties and whether they will be required to have a Good Housekeeping Plan.
- Preservation easements in Frederick County affected by the proposed route have a combined value of $4.79 million.
Visit the project's website: Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project
View the current proposed route of the transmission line:
Read PSEG's Environmental Review Document (dated February 2025)
Notice of Pre-Hearing Conference Scheduled for June 10, 2025