The final route for the proposed new electrical transmission line through Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties, the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, has just been announced by PSEG, the New Jersey utility that has entered into a contract with PJM, the regional entity responsible for delivering electricity to states in this part of the country.

The debate over this issue is far from concluded, however. There will be public information sessions held in each of the three affected counties next month, at which PSEG representatives will meet with members of the public to discuss the proposed transmission line.

I also want you to know that every single elected official representing constituents affected by the proposed line has been actively focusing on this situation all summer and fall. In particular, I have been gathering as much information as possible about this issue and have arranged for meetings with representatives of PJM, PSEG, the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, the Maryland Public Service Commission and influential legislators to discuss myriad concerns, starting with the proposed transmission line but expanding beyond that to encompass the reasons why Maryland is failing to generate enough electricity (which has led to the need to build new transmission lines to bring out-of-state electricity to Maryland) and how we can jump-start more electrical generating capacity.

Independently, the nonprofit organization Stop MPRP, led by the incredible Joanne Frederick, has been plowing much of the same terrain and has plans to hire qualified attorneys and fight any application for the proposed new transmission line at the Public Service Commission.

As a result of my work over the summer, I plan to introduce a group of bills in the upcoming session of the Maryland General Assembly to deal with this situation.

One of my bills will direct the Public Service Commission to defer any decision on the application of PSEG to build a new transmission line until May 1, 2026, by which time the General Assembly will have had an opportunity to deal with the issues involved and hopefully put Maryland on track to generate enough electricity to supply its energy needs without having to construct new transmission lines from other states.

Along with my fellow elected officials, I intend to pursue this matter until the problem is resolved to the satisfaction of as many constituents as possible. In the meantime, I appreciate all of the messages that I have received and encourage you to continue to share your thoughts with me.

Sen. Chris West (chris.west@senate.state.md.us) is a Republican representing District 42 in Baltimore and Carroll counties.