Carroll County leaders renew opposition to Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project

Carroll County commissioners used the Chamber of Commerceannual State of the County event to renew and amplify their opposition to the proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, saying the high-voltage lines would cross farmland, forests and wetlands and that residents should submit letters to the Maryland Public Service Commission.

The commissioners and residents described the project as a local threat and said it currently awaits determinations by the Maryland Public Service Commission. Commissioner Joe Vigliotti said the proposal would "gouge a scar across our home," listing figures in the transcript of properties and acres targeted by the company, and urged citizens to submit written opposition to the PSC. "We have formally resolved opposition to the MPRP," Vigliotti said, and the board is preparing to intervene at the PSC and has "invoked the federal coordination process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission," he added.

The issue matters because the route the company proposes would cross private property, preserved agricultural easements and environmentally sensitive acres, and commissioners said the county is pursuing multiple tracks: public comments to the PSC, outreach to state and federal elected officials and legislative remedies. Commissioner Kenny Kyler said the county has repeatedly asked the company and federal regulators for the specific legal authority that permits construction on private property in the way proposed, and that no clear legal justification has yet been provided. "What is the actual law that permits something like this to happen?" Kyler said.

County officials described prior, formal actions taken by the Board of County Commissioners to oppose the project. The board previously passed two resolutions expressing opposition and authorizing coordination with federal authorities and state legislators; county speakers said those resolutions were unanimous and remain part of the record. Commissioners also told the audience the county is working with neighboring jurisdictions and with state delegates and senators on legislative responses.

For residents who want to help, multiple county speakers and questioners at the meeting urged filing a written letter of opposition with the Public Service Commission, contacting state delegates and senators, and posting no-trespassing signage on private property. Commissioners said PSE (referred to in the meeting as "PSE and G") notified the PSC and that the commission, a five-member body, will decide whether to allow the project to proceed.

Next steps described by county officials include the PSC review process, potential intervention filings by the county, coordination with FERC, and expected legislation this session aimed at clarifying eminent-domain and permitting issues. County officials said they will publish guidance and a dedicated page with filing instructions on the county website and will continue to notify residents as opportunities to comment arise.