14 Days and Counting

Land Preservation Trust Update

Sent July 23rd 2024

14 days and counting. We are all on a path to a better understanding of the reasons behind the PSEG proposals to erect new high voltage Transmission lines through Baltimore County. Frederick and the surrounding area, including possibly Virginia, needs the energy for what we supposed was the new data centers in Frederick. That along with data centers in northern Virginia have likely helped to create a gap in energy supplies which cannot be filled by existing regional sources. Virginia is pulling energy from as far away as Illinois, and Maryland, already relying predominantly on imported power, needs to increase its reliance on the energy producers to our north Or, perhaps Maryland is simply an energy Interstate with a mysterious destination. As part of a thirteen state energy grid with 65 million rate payers, the dots do not always seem to connect. But, you know all this.

What are we at Land Preservation Trust doing? Like you we have spent an enormous amount of time making connections to find out what opportunities are available to influence decisions surrounding the location of transmission lines. We started by researching easements and communicated specific information to every landowner – both through email and letter. If you are a landowner with an easement and did not receive a letter or email from Ann Jones, please let us know.

In the meantime, we are focusing our efforts on building a case: the agricultural lands, forests, streams, and wetlands of North Baltimore County are too sensitive for such a large transmission project. Be it endangered species, historic sites, healthy forests, trout streams – we have them all. Specifically, the State and the County have invested significant amounts in conservation easements to protect a very large segment of the North County, with proposals before DNR to expand the Piney Run Rural Legacy area to the north and to the east. IF YOU KNOW OF ANY STUDIES REGARDING ENDANGERED SPECIES, HISTORIC BUILDINGS, OR special considerations regarding WETLANDS, FOREST, OR STREAMS near you, please let us know (office@thelandpreservationtrust.org or 443-578-4404). We are, of course, calling DNR.

PSEG selected the summer months and a complicated array of proposed paths on purpose. Their clear intent was to divide our voices and hope that Marylanders would be at the beach or the mountains with little time to devote to this contest. They were wrong, and we are working in an informal alliance with other conservation groups active in Baltimore County, and I know of no one not spending every extra moment on this cause.

It will take a village if we are to affect the transmission line proposals, and we applaud the several groups and everyone working to make changes or stop the nonsense. The community has engaged on social media, and thousands of Marylanders have voiced their opposition to the transmission lines. Hopefully our elected officials will hear you and take voice and action.

Once PSEG determines the specific route they propose to build, they will file a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), which begins the State’s formal review of the proposed transmission line. An office in the Department of Natural Resources evaluates PSEG’s proposal in detail and makes a recommendation to the PSC about the location of the proposed line. The PSC evaluates PSEG’s filing and DNR’s evaluation of the proposal and will hold hearings, typically in each of the affected Counties, prior to taking its decision.

I spoke at length with a cousin who works directly in this arena in Massachusetts. She warned that this is not a 30 or 45 day process as new information comes to light at every turn, and we should be prepared for a long-term challenge. We recommend you send your comments to the PSC regarding PSEG’s proposed transmission lines to:

piedmontcomments.psc@maryland.gov

When you communicate with the PSC and other entities, it might be helpful to consider the potential impact on Maryland ratepayers, who will be asked to foot the bill through their electric charges. The State spent considerable effort conserving the open spaces, and as we understand it, much of the future expense of developing the new lines and condemning property, not to mention buying and moving the energy – will be passed on to rate payers: a triple whammy

What else? As you learn more and as you speak with neighbors, please look for productive messages which you can amplify through your conversations and associations.

These first 14 days have been a sprint, and we need to prepare for a marathon. I attached Ann Jones message to easement holders sent last week.

Best and with determination,

Victoria C. Collins

LARGE SCALE CONSEQUENCES

DEMAND A LARGE SCALE RESPONSE*

*from our friends at Piedmont Environmental Council