As the announcement of the preferred route for the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) approaches, Baltimore County Council members are voicing their opposition. The council is set to discuss a resolution against the project at their upcoming work session.
Councilmember Wade Kach, who is sponsoring the resolution, emphasized its importance: “With Frederick County, Carroll County, and now Baltimore County officially opposing this plan, it sends a significant message.”
The proposed resolution, numbered 45-24, outlines three main points:
- Urging the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the MPRP
- Advocating for mandatory bi-annual Integrated Resource Plans from all Maryland public utilities, to be evaluated by the PSC
- Encouraging state leaders to establish a Maryland Coordinated Planning Group for better electric transmission system planning
Council Chair Izzy Patoka expressed concerns about the project’s impact: “We don’t want our farms, homes, wetlands, and businesses to become part of this energy highway. It’s unfair to residents and our ecosystem.”
Kach criticized the project’s pace and lack of public input: “They’re moving too quickly. We need a comprehensive plan with more public involvement.”
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), the project’s developer, plans to announce the preferred route in mid-October. They claim the project is crucial for reliability, citing PJM’s warning of potential rolling brownouts and blackouts if not completed by June 2027. PSEG also asserts the project could reduce customer bills by increasing transmission capacity.
However, Kach argues that while additional power is needed, the current approach lacks proper planning. He noted, “Maryland is phasing out fossil fuel plants, but we’re behind in planning for replacement energy sources.”
PSEG intends to submit their application to the Public Service Commission by late 2024, aiming to complete the transmission line by June 2027.