Frequently Asked Questions
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Maryland is a net importer of energy. Not enough power is generated in the state to serve the needs of Marylanders, and so most of the energy that Marylanders need is brought from states that produce more electricity than they use, like Pennsylvania.
Due to retirements of coal-fired power plants like Brandon Shores, the deficit in Maryland is projected to grow unless additional infrastructure is built.
If Maryland does not increase its transmission capacity, it may not be able to import sufficient energy to cover the increased deficit without causing additional grid congestion. This could lead to the grid becoming overloaded, which has significant impacts on both energy affordability and reliability in the state. More transmission is needed to keep energy costs competitive and to ensure that rolling blackouts are prevented.
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.
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The region’s energy grid is a complex network of supply (generators), demand (users), and transmission, with many intermediate points (substations) to direct the electricity to its destination, homes and businesses around the region.
The grid is not bound by state lines, but rather it is a connected regional network. It is not feasible to know where an electron of electricity generated in a specific facility flows and what its exact end point is. The grid relies on a multitude of inputs, intervening infrastructure, and users, and determining the exact termination point for a unit of generated power is not possible. The Doubs Substation has several generation facilities that feed it, and it supplies energy to several delivery systems. The 500MW of transmission added to Maryland by the MPRP will add capacity to the region, supporting economic development, jobs, and affordable energy prices.
Grid Congestions occurs when too much electricity needs to be moved through a given portion of the grid. Think of it as trying to get more traffic through a highway during a traffic jam.
According to PJM, “Each path in the high-voltage transmission system has a limit to the amount of electricity it can convey. As a result, high demand in one area may result in an overload along the paths available to the lowest-priced electricity as it travels from where it is produced to where it is needed. This situation, called congestion, is addressed by dispatching higher-priced electricity that can follow a less congested path in the transmission system to the area with high demand. When this happens, the LMP (locational marginal prices) in the area of high demand is higher than the LMP in the area where the lowest-cost energy is produced.” That means higher rates for Maryland ratepayers.What Causes Congestion? https://www.pjm.com/-/media/about-pjm/newsroom/fact-sheets/ftr-fact-sheet.ashx#:~:text=What%20Causes%20Congestion%3F,to%20where%20it%20is%20needed.
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Deregulation of the grid, which started in the 1980s, effectively created a marketplace for energy, in which a generation plant (coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, geothermal, or other) would sell the electricity it produces to the regional transmission organization (RTO), and then your utility company, like BG&E or Potomac Edison or even PSE&G (among many others), buys the load to distribute.
The cost of the electricity being sold depends on a few factors, including:- Cost to produce: Not all generation costs the same. If a certain resource costs more to produce, it will cost more on the market, and some generation is supported by the State or Federal Government. If a certain generation source is not used all the time and needs to go through a lengthy startup process to meet an immediate need, that can impact the price.
- Supply and demand: As you might guess, when there is more generation than there is need, the price goes down. Generation entities don’t want to be left with surplus electricity that they can’t store. Similarly, RTOs don’t want to buy electricity that won’t be used. On the other hand, when there is less generation than there is need, as is the case in Maryland, the RTOs need to find that power somewhere. They can pay generators to fire up less desirable (often older and more expensive) generation facilities, they can RMR (Reliability Must Run) decommissioned facilities, or they can try to close the gap via transmission from generation across the region.
Moreover, the energy marketplace operates both on projected need and on real-time need. When real-time need exceeds the projected need (base load), RTOs need to find alternative ways to deliver that additional electricity in real time. RTOs factor in price when purchasing electricity to meet the base load, but the electricity that is available when there is a real time additional need often costs substantially more. All of those costs are passed on to the ratepayers, regardless of who or what entity is requiring that additional power.
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MPRP brings additional electricity into Maryland, helping ensure the RTOs in the state can meet demand more predictably, reliably, and cost-effectively.
MPRP will enhance reliability and support affordability to Maryland ratepayers by increasing the amount of available electricity to the state and diversifying the grid geographically.
The grid is not bound by state lines, but rather it is a connected regional network. It is not feasible to know where an electron of electricity generated in a specific facility flows and what its exact end point is. The grid relies on a multitude of inputs, intervening infrastructure, and users, and determining the exact termination point for a unit of generated power is not possible. The Doubs Substation has several generation facilities that feed it, and it supplies energy to several delivery systems. The 500MW of transmission added to Maryland by the MPRP will add capacity to the region, thus benefiting economic development and affordable energy prices.Maryland uses about 40% more electricity than it generates, and the extra supply that Marylanders need is imported to the state via the regional grid. As a result, Maryland relies on a high-voltage transmission system to deliver electricity to homes and businesses.
When demand for electricity peaks, or it outstrips supply from a specific area, more wattage is pushed through the transmission system. When too much electricity is pushed through the system, it causes congestion. Without additional transmission, PJM predicts “If the transmission is delayed, load has to be dropped.” According to PJM, “Each path in the high-voltage transmission system has a limit to the amount of electricity it can convey. As a result, high demand in one area may result in an overload along the paths available to the lowest-priced electricity as it travels from where it is produced to where it is needed. This situation, called congestion, is addressed by dispatching higher-priced electricity that can follow a less congested path in the transmission system to the area with high demand. When this happens, the LMP (locational marginal prices) in the area of high demand is higher than the LMP in the area where the lowest-cost energy is produced.” That means higher rates for Maryland ratepayers. MPRP will help reduce congestion by adding more capacity and additional infrastructure.
Importantly, the cost of infrastructure projects like MPRP are not borne exclusively by Maryland ratepayers but are shared across all PJM ratepayers.
- https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=MD
- https://www.pjm.com/-/media/committees-groups/committees/teac/2023/20231205/20231205-pjms-role-in-regional-planning-2022-rtep-window-3.ashx
- https://www.pjm.com/-/media/about-pjm/newsroom/fact-sheets/ftr-fact-sheet.ashx#:~:text=If%20there%20is%20no%20congestion,be%20higher%20in%20those%20areas
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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.
PJM, which is responsible for monitoring the reliability of the grid, advises that if transmission reinforcements in Maryland are delayed, load shedding (resulting in brownouts and blackouts) will be required if the project is not placed in service by June 2027.
PJM is also responsible for sufficient generation in the marketplace, ensuring competition and making electricity more accessible and affordable.
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.
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PJM’s goal as part of the 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.
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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.
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PSEG built and operated the Keys Energy Center, which commenced commercial operations 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, obtained a CPCN for the project, and constructed an eight-mile natural gas pipeline to fuel the generating station.
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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.
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The transmission lines will traverse through Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick counties.
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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. The H-Frame structures are an upgrade over the historic lattice towers, because H-Frames have a smaller footprint and can be farmed around. They are also around 40 to 50 feet shorter than a typical monopole structure.
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Many lines are being upgraded as part of the PJM Window 3 Projects - for example, BG&E’s Tri-County Transmission Upgrade Project.
Additionally, 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.” (Source: 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 and new solutions (including MPRP) were the best fit for the reliability need (Source: 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.
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Can this project to be completed by using “reconductoring” existing transmission lines? If not, why?
Reconductoring can, in certain situations, be a solution to increase voltage capacity along existing rights of way. This has the benefit of minimizing impacts to communities while also keeping costs down. In fact, PSEG has a robust reconductoring program for more than 20 years and views this technology as an indispensable tool as we move though this energy transition.
However, reconductoring is not always an option. There is a limit to the capacity that a new cable on an old structure can handle. PJM, in its analysis as part of the bid process for this project, concluded that a new 500kV line would be required to ensure reliability and help increase electric capacity to meet projected growth demand.
(https://www.pjm.com/-/media/committees-groups/committees/teac/2023/20231205/20231205-item-15---reliability-analysis-update-2022-window-3.ashx, see slide 14)
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Of the 5,300 comments the MPRP team received during its initial feedback process, the request to parallel the existing ROW was the most common. As a result of this feedback, the MPRP team revisited this route.
However, due to the built environment that has developed along the ROW over the past 50+ years, MPRP does not recommend this route due to impacts on residents, including direct impacts to more than 90 homes that parallel the right of way, and the community, including at least two places of worship and a school.
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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.
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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
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$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/B7455E69D97B45FFB390EEFAD84AD50D.ashx
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PSEG will need to acquire property rights for the project, mainly in the form of permanent easements, i.e. perpetual rights to construct, repair, maintain, replace or remove the power lines and associated structures.
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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 landowner will be asked to sign a right of entry document allowing PSEG onto the property.
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Our priority is to work directly with each affected property owner to address their concerns and find mutually agreeable solutions. This is what we’ve done previously with similar projects. We are currently focused on direct communication with property owners. The project would only be granted the right to use this governmental power upon approval of the CPCN from the Maryland Public Service Commission, and MPRP would have the same rights as all other utilities in the State of Maryland. If after the project is deemed necessary for the reliability of service to Maryland and only after efforts to negotiate in good faith are exhausted, would we seek to acquire easements by eminent domain in the appropriate court. This is an option of last resort and only used to maintain reliable electric infrastructure for all Marylanders.
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The proposed transmission line will be designed to provide adequate electrical clearances required by the 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.
Shown is a horse farm on an existing 500kV PSE&G line route in New Jersey. Shown is a winery on an existing 500kV PSE&G line route in New Jersey. Shown is a peach orchard on an existing 500kV PSE&G line route in New Jersey. -
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.
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Yes, the project will have some temporary and permanent impacts, but the routing and design process considers numerous factors to avoid or minimize impacts.
PSEG is committed to environmental stewardship and will work to minimize and mitigate the environmental impacts in accordance with applicable local, state and federal requirements.
Environmental impacts and related minimization and mitigation requirements will be reviewed by the Public Service Commission, Maryland Department of Environment, Us Army Corps of Engineers and other relevant agencies pursuant to applications for regulatory permits and approvals.
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“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” (Source: World Health Organization, 2014).
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