According to PJM, the FERC-approved independent regional transmission organization (RTO) that oversees the flow of electricity in the region, the need for this transmission project is twofold: system reliability amid a higher demand for electricity in the region and generator retirements. PSEG is building a new power line to keep electricity reliable, resilient and accessible in Maryland and the surrounding region.

https://www2.pjm.com/-/media/committees-groups/committees/teac/2023/20231205/20231205-item-15---reliability-analysis-update-2022-window-3.ashx

PJM Interconnection is what is known as a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), an independent organization that is authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to plan the regional transmission grid and coordinate the sale and movement of electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. One of PJM’s primary jobs is to ensure that the electric grid remains safe, reliable and secure.

Planning for the future needs of the regional electric system is an integral part of PJM’s role. PJM conducts a Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP) process that regularly identifies what upgrades to the regional transmission grid are needed to ensure reliability – meaning the uninterrupted flow of electricity at all times.

When needs are identified, PJM, in some circumstances, will open up a competitive “window” to procure regulated transmission solutions to identified needs.

The award of this project to PSEG is one of those solutions.

https://www.pjm.com/-/media/committees-groups/committees/teac/2023/20231205/20231205-pjms-role-in-regional-planning-2022-rtep-window-3.ashx

PJM’s goal as part of the window process that resulted in the selection of MPRP was to identify an efficient, cost-effective, constructible and scalable set of projects to serve electricity demand in a timely fashion. PJM relies on a variety of expertise, including independent consultants, to analyze project proposals. PJM takes environmental and social impacts, as well as future expansion needs, into consideration.

As one of the selected proposals, MPRP was determined to be robust and expandable, while also being one of the more effective or cost-efficient solutions to address the regional transmission needs in the study area.

https://www.pjm.com/-/media/committees-groups/committees/teac/2023/20231205/20231205-pjms-role-in-regional-planning-2022-rtep-window-3.ashx

https://www2.pjm.com/-/media/committees-groups/committees/teac/2023/20231205/20231205-item-15---reliability-analysis-update-2022-window-3.ashx

Yes. The final route of the transmission line is subject to the Maryland Public Service Commission’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) process. Obtaining feedback from stakeholders and outreach meetings are an important part in this process. The project is also subject to other federal, state, and local environmental and land use permitting requirements.

Yes, over the last 10 years alone, PSEG has completed more than 200 transmission and substation projects, developing or upgrading nearly 600 miles of lines.

PSEG built and operated the Keys Energy Center, which started operation in 2018, until its sale in 2022. Located in Brandywine, Maryland, this is a highly efficient gas and steam turbine natural gas power plant with a capacity of 755 megawatts (MW). PSEG also built the associated 500-kV switchyard which transfers electricity from the plant to the PEPCO grid for customer use.

The project includes a high-voltage alternating current (AC) transmission line with a voltage level of 500-kV to transport large amounts of electricity over long distances. The approximately 70-mile proposed transmission route spans three counties, westward from the connection point within the existing Baltimore Gas & Electric transmission line right-of-way in northern Baltimore County, through Carroll County, and into the existing Doubs 500kV Station in southern Frederick County. The proposed date of operation is June 2027.

The transmission lines will traverse through Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick counties.

The current proposed transmission line consists of H-frame structures made from “weathering steel,” a steel alloy that has been specially formulated to develop a protective, brown-colored patina layer without the need for paint.

As the FERC-approved independent Regional Transmission Organization, PJM received and analyzed solutions from utilities and other transmission developers as part of a competitive bid process to address reliability concerns in the region.   PJM indicates their “driving approach is to determine the more efficient, cost-effective, constructible and scalable set of projects to serve electricity demand in a timely fashion.” (https://www.pjm.com/-/media/committees-groups/committees/teac/2023/20231205/20231205-pjms-role-in-regional-planning-2022-rtep-window-3.ashx, see last question on page 3).  Ultimately, PJM determined that solutions including a combination of existing transmission line upgrades (by others) and greenfield solutions (including MPRP) were the best fit for the reliability need (https://www.pjm.com/-/media/committees-groups/committees/teac/2023/20231205/20231205-item-15---reliability-analysis-update-2022-window-3.ashx, see slide 14).

PJM has design requirements that typically limit the maximum number of circuits on a transmission tower to 1 for 500kV lines (Source: https://www.pjm.com/-/media/planning/design-engineering/maac-standards/20020520-va-general-criteria.ashx, page 12, see row entitled “Max. Number of circuits per structure”).  As the backbone of the transmission system, placing two 500kV circuits on the same infrastructure is typically avoided for reliability reasons.  Further, reconstructing the existing transmission line (also referred to as a wreck-and-rebuild approach) would be required in this case in order to accommodate two 500 kV circuits, and this reconstruction would require a significant transmission line outage of the existing 500kV circuit, further exacerbating reliability concerns.

The width of the existing transmission Right-of-Way (ROW) is not large enough to accommodate two paralleling 500kV lines. As part of the alternative routing analysis, PSEG tried to parallel existing infrastructure to the extent possible. In some alternative routes we were successful, but in many cases paralleling the existing ROW would increase the impact on the existing built environment, i.e. impact more homes and businesses.

Underground AC lines would not be an economically or technically viable solution due to the distance and voltage level required for this project. Underground AC transmission lines have significantly lower power transfer capability, and a limitation on distance due to high electrical capacitance at 500kV. Underground lines would also require extensive construction and excavation, which would result in a much larger environmental impact compared to the overhead solution and a significantly higher cost. As an additional note, farming would not be allowed over or near an underground transmission line.

The Maryland DOT has restrictions on utilities that prevent running parallel to existing road Right-of-Ways. This is referred to as “Longitudinal Utility Installations” and more information can be found in section 6.03.03 of the following: https://www.roads.maryland.gov/OOC/MDOTSHAUtilityManual.pdf

$424 million (in-service year dollars, which includes adjustments for inflation).

Since MPRP is a high-voltage regional project, customers across the PJM region (which includes all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia) will pay for the project under a FERC-approved cost allocation methodology.

Through a searchable database, PJM provides transparency and access to information about project status and cost: https://www.pjm.com/planning/m/project-construction (MPRP’s applicable “Upgrade ID” numbers are: b3800.7 and b3800.43)

For reference, the PJM transmission zone maps can be found here: https://www.pjm.com/library/~/media/about-pjm/pjm-zones.ashx

PSEG will need to acquire property rights for the project. Most likely the property interests that will be purchased will be in the form of permanent easements, i.e. perpetual rights to construct, repair, maintain, replace or remove the power lines and associated structures. PSEG will likely need to secure rights to access the easements, again for construction, etc. These rights may be temporary – for construction only – or permanent – for permanent access.

PSEG may request prior access to conduct a preliminary assessment including survey work, delineate wetlands, geotechnical investigation, and other activities as needed to determine the amount of land needed, assess the value of an easement and assist with the design/permitting efforts. In that case, the land owner will be asked to sign a right of entry document allowing PSEG onto the property.

PSEG seeks to negotiate and reach agreement with property owners to acquire property rights. PSEG uses an appraisal-based approach, valuing the property rights needed on a fair market value basis.

At this time, PSEG does not have any rights for eminent domain.

If PSEG and a property owner cannot agree on mutually acceptable value, PSEG may seek to use the power of eminent domain using the process set forth by the state of Maryland to acquire the necessary property rights. Use of eminent domain would only be considered as a last resort and is dependent on receipt of the Maryland Public Service Commission’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).

The proposed transmission line will be designed to provide adequate electrical clearances required by National Electrical Safety Code. Similar to many existing transmission lines in the field today, PSEG anticipates that normal farming operations, including animal and cattle grazing, as well as row crops, such as corn, soybeans, etc, will be minimally impacted and can co-exist with the transmission line. Limits to growing certain tall vegetation or plants such as trees or nursery stock under the line that could exceed certain heights will need to be reviewed and negotiated to ensure adequate electrical clearances to the new transmission line.

View larger image Source: Existing 500kV PSE&G transmission lines in Gloucester County, NJ.

View larger image Source: Existing 500kV PSE&G transmission lines in Gloucester County, NJ.

View larger image Source: Existing 500kV PSE&G transmission lines in Salem County, NJ.

PSEG communicates project updates in a variety of ways including this project website, a dedicated project hotline 833-451-MPRP (6777), news releases and open houses. The outreach team can be reached via e-mail at pseg-mprp@pseg.com.

Communication continues until all work is complete, including right-of-way restoration. These efforts aim to keep the public informed, address concerns, and foster meaningful engagement throughout the project.

Yes, the project will have some temporary and permanent impacts, but the routing and design process considers numerous factors to avoid or minimize impacts. Where impacts cannot be avoided, appropriate mitigation measures will be implemented.

When significant unavoidable impacts to the environment are encountered, the impacts can be offset by mitigation measures as prescribed by State and Federal regulations.  PSEG is committed to environmental stewardship and will work to minimize and mitigate the environmental impacts to the greatest extent practical.

It is also important to note that the project is in the current early stages of routing analysis.  Upon further refinement of the selected route, permit applications will be made to the Public Service Commission, Maryland Department of Environment, Us Army Corps of Engineers and Counties and the projects details and impacts will be reviewed as part of those applications.

“Based on a recent in-depth review of the scientific literature, [we conclude] that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields” (World Health Organization, 2014).

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-electromagnetic-fields