Several Maryland lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle told FOX45 News they oppose a controversial power line expansion project that would run transmission lines through the state.
FOX45 News surveyed state and local elected officials over three days about their stance on the project, as well as their interactions with state agencies and the governor regarding the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project.
A total of 51 officials were surveyed, with 35 responding to FOX45 News’s multiple attempts to receive direct answers to four specific questions about the MPRP.
Questions focused on topics often identified by residents potentially impacted by the proposed 70-mile high voltage power line expansion project that may cut through portions of Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick Counties.
The survey found that not a single elected official said they received guidance or information about MPRP development from state government agencies beyond what power line developer Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) and electric grid operator PJM have made publicly available.
Many government leaders said they had to conduct their own research on the project. Others said they were only contacted by the utility conglomerates’ lobbyists or public relations firm.
All of responding elected officials said they universally reject the use of eminent domain for public projects to advance the MRPR.
“I strongly oppose the use of eminent domain on agricultural and preserved land,” Del. Michele Guyton, a Democrat representing Baltimore and Carroll counties, said in her survey response. “In fact, I have already submitted legislation about this to General Assembly bill drafters for pre-filing this session.”
Gov. Wes Moore’s stance on eminent domain use remains unclear, despite extensive questioning and news coverage about the MPRP. Neither he nor his office representatives attended any community-led town hall meetings in August in any of the potentially affected counties.
The governor and his chief legislative officer both dodged direct questions during separate incidents last week about their support for using eminent domain to advance the project if the Maryland Public Service Commission grants PSEG development permits.
”Any action that does come before the state has to be thoroughly evaluated, and we need to make sure that the state and local leadership is actually involved inside of that process,” Gov. Moore said during a Tuesday interview on WBAL NewsRadio.
The governor’s office did not acknowledge or respond to multiple emails from FOX45 News last week regarding whether Gov. Moore will support the use of eminent domain.
However, FOX45 News caught up with Gov. Moore’s chief legislative officer, Eric Luedtke, after he was featured as a panelist on Thursday at the inaugural Maryland Data Center Summit session.
“The reality is it is going to take significant investment by utilities over time,” Luedtke said. “You are going to have to see some new construction of electric infrastructure.”
Luedtke told FOX45 News that regardless of the administration’s aim to expand data center construction in Maryland, power grid expansion work is necessary. He said power grid enhancements are needed due to consumer demands for products like electric cars and stoves.
“I think the public should weigh in; I think the public should have a voice in the process,” Luedtke said. “I think the Piedmont Project is going to be heavily debated and I think that the company should listen to some of the public feedback.”
It remains unclear when PJM or PSEG first contacted Gov. Moore’s office, or other state agencies, about the MPRP. The Maryland Energy Administration did not respond to questions last week regarding when PJM or PSEG first reached out to the government agency.
PJM had previously directed FOX45 News to what they said were “open stakeholder” meetings that took place late last year.
“As part of [our] effort, the Maryland Public Service Commission, Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, the Organization of PJM States (OPSI) and many other state constituents attended meetings to provide input on the project proposals received by PJM and to discuss specific concerns on potential solutions being considered,” PJM told FOX45 News in August. “Meetings were held on October 31 and December 5, 2023.”
PJM declined to disclose any additional details regarding the attendees or the specific topics discussed during the two meetings. Elected officials said they have relied on media investigations and reports to learn about the rapidly moving process.
Councilman Steve McKay, a Frederick County Republican, was the only elected official who provided insight into a little-known meeting about MPRP that took place in mid-August during the summer Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) conference in Ocean City.
“I have not had any contact from Gov. Moore’s office,” Councilman McKay said. “I am aware, however, that he met with Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners and the Baltimore County Executive during the recent MACo conference, where concerns about the project were shared.”
Both county executives indirectly acknowledged this meeting through their survey responses. Other elected officials indicated that Commissioners Kenneth Kiler and Ed Rothstein, both Republicans, were the two representatives from Carroll County who met with Gov. Moore during MACo.
Neither Commissioner Kiler nor Rothstein directly responded to FOX45 News’s survey.
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