Gov. Wes Moore on Thursday deflected criticism from residents who say that he has failed to intervene in the controversial Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a proposed 70-mile high-voltage transmission line set to cut through Carroll, Frederick and Baltimore counties.
“This process has gone differently than any other process before,” Moore said in an interview with Baltimore Sun co-owner Armstrong Williams. “I understand the anger, but to direct it toward me doesn’t make any sense.”
Residents criticized Moore and called on President-elect Donald Trump for help during a public hearing on the project held Wednesday in Westminster.
“One man could make this project go away, and that’s Gov. Wes Moore,” said Brad Garst, of New Windsor. “His silence speaks volumes. He’s not looking out for the state. He’s not looking out for Carroll County.”
Hundreds of residents came from Carroll, Frederick and Baltimore counties, packing the Carroll County Agriculture Center in Westminster, making clear their opposition to the project, which they say will destroy farmland and take away their properties via eminent domain in order to feed energy to data centers in Northern Virginia. The powerline is on track to be operational by June 2027.
“Virginia, get your own power,” said Chris Myers, who lives north of Manchester. “Destroy your own state. We can do without the power. We don’t need a data center here in Carroll County. We must resist them by any means.”
Garst said during his testimony that he has the “right to bear arms” under the Second Amendment of U.S. Constitution, and would not shy away from doing so to protect his property.
When asked about his position on whether MPRP would invoke eminent domain to seize property along its installation route, Moore said, “none of us have the legal authority, that is the [Public Service Commission], but the PSC has nothing in front of it to have an opinion on it.”
He added that he has a “very real problem with” the way the process has played out, and “very real questions.”
“It’s the first time we’ve seen something like this,” Moore said, “where you have conversations about eminent domain that are not coming before the state.”
The Public Service Enterprise Group has been contracted by PJM, the organization that operates and plans Maryland’s electric grid, to build the $424 million powerline. PJM has said the project is desperately needed to update Maryland’s energy infrastructure.
PSEG representatives attempted to explain the project Wednesday night, but their voices were drowned out as the sign-carrying crowd clapped and yelled out their frustrations.
There were even calls to President-elect Donald Trump to step in.
“Who in Maryland gave you the green light to do this?” Michelle Jefferson of Westminster said. “President Trump, we need your help. They’re cramming it down our throats.”
Whitney Miller of Westminster called PSEG’s PowerPoint presentation “lies and propaganda,” and also warned state officials not to step foot on her property. “I’m just a spot along your map,” she said. “We’re actual people. Shame on you. Do not visit my home and don’t visit my neighbors, because the answer is ‘no.’”
PSEG released 10 possible paths for the powerline earlier this year and announced last month that Route H was selected because it would affect fewer homes and buildings, crosses fewer conservation easements, and because it is shorter with fewer turns.
On Tuesday, PSEG officials held a community meeting in Hunt Valley attended by hundreds of residents in opposition to the project. Another community meeting is set for Thursday in Frederick County. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at the Brunswick Fire Hall, 1500 Volunteer Drive, Brunswick.
Anyone may email comments to the Public Service Commission to be part of the public record to piedmontcomments.psc@maryland.gov, or register and submit an official public comment online at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/1f1de68988cb440a823127713bd33286.
A toll-free hotline for the proposed project’s news and updates can be reached at 1-833-451-MPRP(6777).
Have a news tip? Contact Sherry Greenfield at sgreenfield@baltsun.com, 240-315-7029 and @sherrygreenfie9 on X.