To recap, a power company from New Jersey, the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), came to Maryland with the intent to construct a 70 mile high-power electric transmission line called the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP). The plan involved the possibility of exercising eminent domain laws to take private land from farms and businesses across Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties for the new constructions. The stated purpose of the project is to increase power to promote development in the I-270 corridor and DC metropolitan area. This would be at the expense of Baltimore and Carroll county residents who have nothing to gain.
After sham public hearings by PSEG on July 9 and 10, angry citizens united to organize a challenge to the PSEG agenda. A grassroots non-profit called Stop MPRP created by Joanne Frederick has taken the lead as an umbrella organization to unite residents to protect and preserve land across Maryland with a website at www.stopmprp.com. Updates and announcements about future community meetings can be found there.
In addition, in a press release [1] from Senator Chris West, Senator Justin Ready, and Delegates April Rose, Josh Stonko, Christopher Eric Bouchat and Chris Tomlinson citizens are advised to write to the Governor and key administrators listed at the end of this article. The main points in that press release were:
1. “As state legislators we have no direct vote or say into whether or how this plan gets implemented or where the lines go. However, we are working with the State legislators in Frederick County and Baltimore County to appeal to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC)”
2. Because Maryland policies prohibit the creation of energy from bio-fuels, Maryland is forced to buy power from other states like PA. The Maryland legislature should reconsider its policies.
3. “We believe that PSEG should prioritize utilizing current infrastructure footprints and corridors rather than spoiling agricultural land and harming property owners.”
In a follow up letter from Senator West regarding an alternative to the existing plan, he states:
1. “…there is a viable alternative, known as “reconductoring” the existing transmission line across Baltimore and Carroll Counties. Reconductoring” is the replacement of a transmission line’s existing cables (known as “conductors”) with either larger-diameter conductors or a different type of conductor. Reconductoring would enable the existing transmission line to transmit roughly twice as much electricity as at present. It would eliminate the need for a second, newly-constructed transmission line.”This would also cost less than half that of the proposed PSEG project and take far less time.
2. With regard to arguments about the need to supply energy to AI facilities in Frederick and Loudoun Counties, the Senator argues that the businesses in the AI field should locate their electricity-intensive facilities close to electrical generating plants rather than in distant locations which would require new transmission lines.
Senator West insists that the possibility of reconductoring of the existing old electrical transmission line needs to be on the table. While the proposed alternative for reconductoring existing lines has many advantages, we are concerned that no one is addressing safety issues.
It is noteworthy that the Project promoters claim that “ EMF exposure…including those from electric power systems, do not pose any recognized long-term health risks.” That statement seems to be contradicted by other research such as that linked in References below.
Other concerns we have shared with Senator West and the Stop MPRP are:
1. What are the health threats of such increased exposure to those living near exiting lines and threats to the environment?
2. The new proposal also does not address the underlining issue of Maryland legislation that undermines Maryland’s ability to create it’s own energy rather than buying it from other states.
3. As I understand it, the existing power lines are owned by BGE so how does that affect a contract awarded to a different , out-of-state company?
4. And lastly, the burden of the negative outcomes from the reconductoring would be born by those living close to those power lines without benefit to them.
The project is not inevitable and PSEG must get approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. In a recent communication from Senator Ready, we learned that the consumer division of the PSC has “come out raising serious questions about the project” including the need to “ reevaluate how they calculate actual demand need.” Senator Ready also includes an in-depth article from the Baltimore Banner about the issue.
More community meetings are scheduled and can be found at www.stopmprp.org . Hopefully new updates will be posted there. Momentum is building. Please let your voice be heard by attending one of the upcoming community meetings and by writing to:
- Governor Wes Moore 410 974 3901
https://governor.maryland.gov/contact-us – (Select “Contact the Governor” to send email)
- Secretary Kevin Atticks, Maryland Dept of Agriculture 410 841 5880 kevin.atticks@maryland.gov
- Secretary Serena Mcllwain, Maryland Department of Environment 410 537 3084
- Director Paul G. Pinsky, Maryland Energy Administration 410 537 4134
chris.rice@maryland.gov (his Chief of Staff)
References:
[1] To obtain a copy of the press release, write to justin.ready@senate.state.md.us
- The Federal Trade Commission (FCC) is made up of six people from within the industry – not independent scientists. This agency regulates equipment that emits radio frequencies but it has nothing to do with health and safety. That is left up to the FDA and other regulatory agencies.
- references to the negative effects of microwave radiation on health.
- The trend continues to show that exposure to low-intensity ELF-EMF/Static Fields and RFR at levels allowable under current federal public safety limits pose health risks.