Maryland residents concerned about impact of electrical grid upgrade project

BALTIMORE -- Maryland residents are fighting back against new powerlines being built across several counties.

The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a proposed environmentally focused upgrade to Maryland's electrical grid, will require more than 70 miles of overhead powerlines to connect an existing BGE transmission line in northern Baltimore County, passing through Carroll County and into southern Frederick County.

A town hall on Wednesday in Parkton allowed residents to voice their concerns about the project.

The company in charge of the project says they will take community feedback into account when finalizing the routes.  

Another meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the AG Center for Carroll County.

"Significant system overload"

A spokesperson for New Jersey-based Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), the developer behind the project hired by PJM, the regional transmission organization, told WJZ the project is essential to support Maryland's energy future and respond to the growing electric needs. 

PSEG says there's currently a significant system overload. 

Controversial powerlines

The power grid plan has sparked controversy as maps show the lines passing through vital land. 

Throughout the summer, residents have expressed frustration, saying they aren't on board. They say the plans blindsided them and worry the project could have a huge impact on their properties.  

"This project is moving at a rapid pace and people have not had enough of their questions answered," said state delegate Nino Mangione.

Residents say this project will rip up family farms.

"I realized my childhood dream 30 years ago," Hereford resident Janet Stratton said. "To have it taken away would be devastating." 

Stratton says her family's farm has been passed down for six generations, and it's now in the direct path of a potential 500,000 volt transmission line.  

"There's a lot of people whose properties are going to be taken away," added farmer Steve Novotny. 

Novotny says they want to see a different solution to the problem.

"We can't just say we don't oppose this," he said, "We still need to come up with an alternative method."