HUNT VALLEY – Tensions flared Wednesday night when representatives from the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) hosted a briefing on the controversial Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP).

The packed room at the Embassy Suites was filled with local farmers, small business owners and concerned citizens who expressed strong opposition to the proposed project.

Community members are demanding that PSEG halt plans for a 70-mile transmission line, which will measure 150 feet wide, running through Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties.

The common refrain among attendees was a resounding “no” to the project, citing concerns about the potential impact on their lands and livelihoods.

Felix Abeson

“I have operated a family farm that has been in our family for five generations,” said Jeff Sprinkle of Carroll County. “This project would threaten our home and the homes of eight other families on our land.

Sprinkle was not alone in his concerns. Kim Duvall, whose husband built their home from scratch, also attended to seek answers and hold project officials accountable.

“We need solutions that benefit both the environment and consumers,” he insisted. “But running an extension cord across my backyard is not a viable option.”

Another farmer, Weida Stoecker, expressed similar fears. “Our farm has been in the family since 1890. The proposed power lines would disrupt our year-round agricultural production, jeopardizing our ability to sustain our business,” he explained.

The project aims to relieve grid congestion, as Maryland currently imports about 40 percent of its energy needs. Jason Kalwa, a PSEG official, defended the plan and emphasized Maryland’s reliance on a regional network that connects states with different energy production and consumption capacities.

However, community members remained skeptical. They criticized the assessments made by the PJM, which was absent from the meeting but previously suggested that the chosen route would minimize impacts on residences. “Where we live is not just about houses; it’s about our heritage,” one participant lamented regarding potential expropriation issues.

The attendees not only defended their homes but also sought a transparent dialogue with the PSEG. Many called for alternatives that could balance energy needs with the preservation of local communities and economies.

This meeting marks the first of three briefings scheduled for this week, and PSEG emphasized that they are still in the preliminary planning stages and have not yet applied for any permits.

The company aims to start the project in June 2027, but local opposition is strong, making it clear that many are unwilling to accept the transmission lines without further considering their concerns.

As the evening concluded, the feeling in the room was unmistakable: the fight to protect their homes, farms and way of life was far from over.