Residents of Carroll County have expressed clear frustration over the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a proposed 70-mile overhead transmission line intended to meet the growing electrical demands of the region. Over 200 locals attended informational sessions this week, many of whom are apprehensive about the impact the project might have on their properties and the county's landscape as reported by WBALTV.

According to a statement from the Carroll County Commissioners, the project "does not respect" core principles such as protecting property rights, local control, and land use. The commission is leveraging influence at various levels "to halt the project in its current form," reflecting the deep-seated concerns of residents like Brad Garst, who told FOX Baltimore that the proposed line would slash his equity "by 50 percent."

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), the New Jersey-based company behind the initiative, asserts that the infrastructure is crucial for maintaining a reliable grid. However, many citizens are questioning the necessity and the proposed placement of the lines. "This line is going to go through my second pasture and will ruin the beauty and the landscaping of my farm," Jeanine Holtsberg stated in an interview, as per WBALTV. Others, like Jenny Teeter, have expressed concerns, asking why the project cannot utilize existing power line paths instead of encroaching on untouched land.

Despite the outcry, PSEG's Jason Kalwa has attempted to provide reassurance by drawing parallels between electrical infrastructure and highways, suggesting that doubling up on the same pathway isn't always feasible. Even so, the company's inability to provide specific details on which data centers will benefit from the electricity has done little to quell the disquiet among locals. As the project's CPCN application awaits filing with the Maryland Public Service Commission, the public remains engaged, with the hotline and comment page set up by PSEG receiving ongoing feedback.