With the future of the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project up in the air, the proposed 70-mile transmission line, which could span Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties, has sparked debate about how to address the state’s growing energy needs.

Currently, the state of Maryland is a net importer of electricity, meaning the state uses more power than it generates. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Maryland consumes about five times more energy than it produces.”

On top of that, PJM, the regional transmission organization said in a statement, “electricity demand is expected to increase by nearly 40% by the year 2039. The new demand is from the electrification of vehicles and buildings, manufacturing increases and data centers in Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and other places. In addition to demand growth, there has been an acceleration of generating plants that are retiring and closing throughout the PJM footprint. In Maryland specifically, 14 units have retired or announced retirement.”

While the benefit of the proposed transmission line has been debated, with some lawmakers arguing it won’t benefit Maryland, it has started a conversation among state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle on how best to address the energy crisis.

State lawmakers in both the House of Delegates and the Senate are planning to introduce energy-related legislation.

“The top three issues for the 2025 session will be the budget, energy and Blueprint education reform,” said Senator Karen Lewis Young, who represents part of Frederick County. “So you know number two and number three are directly related to number one, so it’s going to be one of the most important issues of the session.”

Young said she plans to introduce a bill requiring a data center study. The study would analyze the financial, environmental and energy impacts of data centers. She said she is also looking into legislation which could require that transmission developers use existing right of ways, if at all possible, before new lines are approved.

Del. Nino Mangione, who represents Baltimore County, said he is proposing legislation called the “Protect Maryland Farm Act.” He said the bill would require a 350% premium be added to the highest appraisal of land, in order to compensate farm owners for their “loss of income, gainful employment and disruption of their lifestyles.” He said the legislation would be retroactive for projects proposed in 2024.

“Many of these farmers, that is their business and way of life,” he said.

“We can make sure people are getting their money’s worth when it comes to disrupting their entire life,” he added.

According to legislation that has been pre-filed for the 2025 session, Mangione is also proposing legislation related to Natural Gas Energy Generation. Another bill that has been pre-filed from other lawmakers is related to overhead transmission lines and conservation easements. Young also mentioned some lawmakers were looking into a bill which could require data centers to be co-located to energy sources.

In October, Senator Chris West said he planned to proposed a bill which could delay the proposed transmission project, and defer decisions on transmission projects until more transmission and energy planning was completed.

Based on conversations with lawmakers, other bills are expected to be introduced as well.