The Maryland Public Service Commission has laid out a longer timeline for the review of a hotly debated power line project that's got local communities bracing for impact and energy officials insistent on necessity. The proposed Piedmont Reliability Project, spearheaded by PSEG Renewable Transmission, is a 67-mile venture intended to bolster the region's electric grid. The timeline for review now extends to February 2027, nearly a year beyond what PSEG had requested, according to CBS News Baltimore.
Originally, PSEG aimed for a decision by March 31, 2026, to align with the grid operator PJM Interconnection's warning of potential power failures without the line. However, the Public Service Commission stated, "In adopting this schedule that includes a longer timeline than PSEG had requested, the Commission has confidence that PJM, the region’s grid operator, will efficiently maintain the grid during the duration of the Commission’s review of PSEG’s application," Maryland Matters reported.
Opposition to the Piedmont project is not a soft murmur but a resounding roar from affected residents who charge that the power lines could disrupt private property, farms, and eco-sensitive areas, like Gunpowder Falls State Park and Prettyboy Reservoir. Additionally, the controversy was inflamed to new extents last month when PSEG unsuccessfully sought backup from U.S. Marshals to protect survey crews from alleged threats of violence from property owners. The request was ultimately denied, as reported by CBS News Baltimore.
