PSC extends construction deadlines for TransSource, Potomac Edison; allows BGE waivers to expire

The Public Service Commission voted Oct. 1 to extend construction commencement deadlines tied to the Interstate Energy Connect (IEC) / Project 9A transmission proposals and to allow two previously granted Baltimore Gas and Electric Company waivers to expire.

The commission granted TransSource Maryland LLC an extension of the certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) construction-commencement deadline for a new 230 kV transmission line in Washington County (case no. 9471) to May 31, 2026. The commission likewise extended the construction commencement deadline in case no. 9470 for Potomac Edison Company’s planned upgrade and rebuild of an existing 138 kV line in Frederick and Washington counties to May 31, 2026. The commission also allowed two CPCN waivers issued to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company in case no. 9471 to expire. As part of the action, commissioners directed TransSource to file quarterly reports on progress and significant expenses related to the projects and to notify the commission and parties promptly of material developments in related proceedings.

Staff told the commission the item continues a multi-year docket that tracked PJM Interconnection’s reevaluations of Project 9A and associated reliability and market-efficiency metrics. Staff recounted earlier proceedings and temporary extensions and said PJM’s 2025 re-evaluation found the western portion of Project 9A had a benefit-cost ratio of 3.85 and remained beneficial, while the eastern portion was no longer needed after PJM’s board voted July 30, 2025 to approve only the western segment. TransSource and BGE told the commission they understood the eastern portion is no longer required. BGE reported it had expended about $8,600,000 preparing to build the eastern portion; the company said roughly $1,900,000 of that cost could be transferable to other projects and that it had not yet indicated whether it would seek recovery for the remainder as abandonment costs.

Office of People’s Counsel supported staff’s recommendation to extend deadlines for the western portion and allow the eastern waivers to expire, and recommended TransSource file periodic updates. TransSource and Potomac Edison told the commission they were prepared to provide quarterly reports and to notify the commission of milestone events. Commissioners asked whether the companies were continuing to manage costs; TransSource said staff remains under direction to minimize expenditures and that the company continues to maintain land options and related contracts. The motion to grant the extensions passed with one recorded abstention.

The extensions preserve authorization for parts of the project that remain supported by PJM while allowing the eastern segment’s waivers to lapse now that PJM no longer requires that portion to address the identified reliability or congestion issues.