(DECEMBER 31, 2024 – NEWARK, N.J.) Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) today announced that it has filed an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). This filing is a required step in the process to site the MPRP. Following the filing, the PSC initiates a proceeding to consider the application.

The application highlights the need for additional energy infrastructure to avoid severe and widespread reliability issues as determined by PJM (the independent Regional Transmission Organization), explains the reliability and economic benefits the MPRP will bring to the residents of Maryland and explains why the MPRP was selected as a cost-effective solution to address these needs.

“This project is needed to preserve grid reliability for Maryland consumers as electricity demand increases and generation resources are retiring both in the state and in the broader PJM region. Transmission overloads this severe can lead to widespread and extreme conditions such as system collapse and blackouts if not addressed,” said Paul McGlynn, Vice President – Planning at PJM. “The MPRP was selected because it solves the reliability need with the least amount of infrastructure development required, has cost containment in place, and is slated to have a much stronger system performance than any other alternative.”

“We appreciate the constructive feedback we have received from the Maryland community and look forward to continuing that engagement as part of the CPCN process,” stated Jason R. Kalwa, project director at PSEG. “We believe this filing illustrates a project that is community-informed, reliable and mitigates impact to individuals, communities, and wildlife as much as possible while delivering a cost-effective reliability solution for Maryland and PJM electric customers.”

The public is invited to view the proposed route and learn more about the routing process and project by visiting: mprp.com.

Need for new transmission

The project was ordered by PJM, which is responsible for operating and planning the regional electric grid in all or parts of 13 states, including Maryland. PJM has determined that the MPRP is critically needed to prevent extensive and widespread reliability issues on the existing 500 kV transmission system that serves Maryland and its surrounding states due to increases in electricity demand and generation resources retiring. If left unaddressed, electric customers across multiple states, including in Maryland, will be at significant risk for blackouts as early as 2027. Maryland imports about 40% of the electricity it needs to serve its customers from out of state. Reliable transmission infrastructure must be in place to move this energy to customers.

Benefits to Maryland

PJM states that key 500 kV lines currently serving Maryland customers are at risk for failure if the MPRP is not placed in service in 2027. Transmission facilities deliver the power that is vital to Maryland’s economy, safety and security. 

The MPRP will also bring significant economic benefits to Maryland, including an estimated increase in total economic activity of $306 million ($251 million in construction, $55 million in operations) during the first 30 years of the project and an estimated 1,709 full time equivalent employees during the construction phase of the project. 

Why the MPRP was selected by PJM

PJM chose the MPRP over other solutions because:

• it is a technically superior solution that addresses the regional reliability problems PJM has identified and does so in 2027;
• it builds in sufficient reliability margin to account for increased future demand and generator retirements;
• it will require less new infrastructure to be built than other proposed projects;
• it minimizes the need for extended outages on the existing system, and;
• it incorporates a cost containment mechanism that will protect Maryland customers.

PSEG Experience in Transmission Projects

PSEG has a successful history of completing large, cost-effective transmission projects that provide reliable electricity. PSEG has an extensive team of professionals that design and execute transmission projects, while being socially and environmentally responsible to the communities in which they are built and maintained. PSEG and its subsidiaries currently own and maintain more than 1,500 miles of high voltage transmission lines.

MPRP Alternatives Considered

• Reconductoring: PJM determined that reconductoring existing lines is insufficient to address the widespread and severe reliability problems that will appear on the system beginning in 2027.
• Underground: PSEG evaluated undergrounding the MPRP. Underground AC transmission lines carry far less power than overhead lines. Undergrounding is also significantly more costly to build and maintain, and involves substantially greater land use restrictions, such as extremely limited farming operations, than overhead transmission lines. In addition, an underground line in this case would not be completed by 2027.
• Existing Right of Way: PSEG evaluated whether the existing transmission line infrastructure in the area could accommodate the addition of the MPRP line through either a “wreck and rebuild” or by adding additional towers in the existing right-of-way. Neither of those options has proven feasible due to engineering design/safety limitations, additional significant costs and an inability to meet the required in service date of June 1, 2027. Following the July Information session and based on the public feedback received, PSEG evaluated paralleling the existing ROW between Conistone and Doubs substations. This additional route was deemed unworkable due to its impacts on more than 90 homes and community buildings.

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About PSEG
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) is a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future. Guided by its Powering Progress vision, PSEG aims to power a future where people use less energy, and it's cleaner, safer and delivered more reliably than ever. With a continued focus on sustainability, PSEG has appeared on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for 17 consecutive years. PSEG is included on the 2023-2024 list of U.S. News' Best Companies to Work For. PSEG's businesses include Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island (https://corporate.pseg.com).