Garrett County officials raise questions about proposed transmission route, oppose private eminent domain

Garrett County commissioners on Feb. 3 described limited information on a proposed high-voltage transmission corridor that could cross parts of the county and said they oppose any grant of eminent-domain authority to a private, for-profit company.

Commissioners said the measure under discussion — a bill filed in the state senate — would allow power companies to extend transmission lines across state forest lands in some circumstances and noted that a permit from the Maryland Public Service Commission would still be required for construction. "We are not going to support it, and we are not going to oppose it because we do not have near enough information or facts," a commissioner said of the senator’s bill. Separately the board said it "vehemently oppose[s] any private for profit entity to have the ability to claim eminent domain. We will oppose that."

Why it matters: County officials said a utility route could affect private properties on the northern end of the county and that a permit decision by the PSC — if treated as an emergency — could empower a utility to condemn private property under eminent-domain procedures. Commissioners asked the company identified in public materials, NextEra, to hold informational sessions so residents can see proposed alignments and ask questions.

Commissioners said NextEra had met privately with commissioners several months earlier and promised maps and talking points, but the county had not yet received detailed routing information. A company map shared with a county staff member shortly before the meeting showed only a broad oblong corridor in the northern county area that could include Friendsville, Grantsville, Bittinger/Benninger, and Finzel (transcript references). Commissioners said that if state ground is made available, the company may draw its line to maximize use of state property; if not, routes would likely cross more private land.

Public comment at the meeting included requests for better public notice and for the county to press for information; a resident asked whether local businesses could tap the transmission line for economic development. Commissioners said they will request that NextEra hold public informational meetings and will continue to consult DNR and the county’s legislative delegation as the bill proceeds.

Ending: The board cautioned that it has limited information and urged residents to contact the senator sponsoring the bill and county staff for updates; commissioners pledged to oppose any transfer of eminent-domain power to private companies if that becomes an issue.