NextEra, counties and conservation groups spar over proposed Mid-Atlantic transmission route through state wildlands

NextEra Energy Transmission and local officials told the Economic Matters Committee on Thursday that a narrowly drafted bill (House Bill 1270) should allow the Maryland Public Service Commission to consider a route that parallels an existing Potomac Edison transmission corridor through three state-designated wildlands. Opponents said allowing the route would set a precedent that could open other wildlands to development.

"This bill is about giving the Public Service Commission and DNR, when NextEra applies for a CPCN later this year, the ability to consider a more direct route," Rob Gergiola, who represented NextEra, said in testimony. NextEra argued that paralleling the existing 175-foot right-of-way would shorten the new 500 kV line and reduce greenfield routing, lowering environmental impacts such…