[Baltimore Sun] No shock that MPRP panned, but what’s the alternative? | STAFF COMMENTARY
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If there are any readers who were surprised at the news that the Baltimore County Council voted unanimously Monday to condemn the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP), the controversial 70-mile power line connecting northern Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties, we would recommend new prescription lenses. Of course, Democrats and Republicans alike disapproved of the plan that could lead to having farmland and perhaps even homes seized to make way for the $424 million project spearheaded by a New Jersey firm on behalf of the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection, the regional organization that coordinates electrical transmission in 13 East Coast states. Who wants a 500,000-volt power line in their neighborhood? Anyone?
We have misgivings about the plan as well, but here’s what’s lacking so far in the response by elected officials: What’s the best alternative for ensuring Marylanders will have their electrical needs met in the future? What about attracting a regional data center, a big tech jobs generator that also has big power needs? And consider the challenges ahead as the state attempts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel-powered generators are scrapped. Are we ready to fully embrace green energy? Even the best of those alternatives (aside from rooftop solar and wind generation) requires power lines.
We won’t be surprised if the Maryland Public Service Commission, the regulatory body that actually has a say with MPRP, doesn’t go along with the proposal either. The prospect of eminent domain property acquisition has stirred up enough anger to be heard in MPSC offices on St. Paul Street. But that doesn’t absolve them of their responsibility to figure out how to keep Marylanders powered up while bringing greenhouse gas emissions down. We’d hate to see Maryland backtrack on its zero emissions goals, particularly in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This state is at risk of climate change-fueled disasters, too, particularly coastal flooding.
Like the similarly easy criticisms of cuts to the state’s transportation trust fund, elected officials who speak out against power lines need to offer reasonable alternatives that won’t necessarily make them so popular. That may be easy for climate change deniers who opt for a no-growth status quo for the grid but those who actually accept scientific facts may struggle a bit. Unless changes are made, Maryland is at risk of future brownouts and outages. The big question isn’t about a preferred power line route, it’s where’s the bold leadership on energy?
Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.
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