About the MPRP

The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, or MPRP, proposes a 70-mile-long, 500,000-volt transmission line that is twice as powerful as the lines most people are familiar with. This line would extend from Norrisville in Harford County, passing through Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties, and end at the Doubs substation in southern Frederick County. However, this project could be avoided by adopting less destructive, non-invasive, and more modern alternatives available today. 

The driving force behind the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project is the rapid growth of data centers, as outlined by PJM in their RTEP Window 3 Reliability Analysis report. The report states PJM's load forecast "...indicated high data center load growth activity, particularly in northern Virginia...data center loads within northern Virginia have been increasing at an unprecedented rate, and new data center load is being proposed in Maryland." This surge in data center demand is cited as a primary justification for the MPRP, which aims to accommodate the increased energy needs. The proposed date of operation of the MPRP is June 2027.

Stop MPRP, Inc. is a grassroots, nonpartisan organization urgently working to stop the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP). This project seeks to install high-voltage power lines across Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties, posing serious threats to farms, ecosystems, and property rights. 

While the MPRP benefits out-of-state corporations, it leaves Marylanders to bear the financial, environmental, and personal costs. We advocate for smarter, more sustainable energy solutions that balance technological progress, green energy, agriculture, housing, and environmental preservation.

We are a 501(c)4 membership organization with members in Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick Counties, and beyond. Our strength lies in uniting communities to coordinate efforts to oppose the MPRP.

Learn more about our founding Board Members here. 

Stop MPRP, Inc. opposes the proposed MPRP for several key reasons centered around financial, environmental, and community concerns.

Unfair Financial Burden and Out-of-State Interests:  Despite primarily serving out-of-state corporations, the project forces Marylanders to shoulder a significant portion of its $424 million cost. PJM, the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) behind the project, awarded it to New Jersey-based PSEG.  The driving force behind the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project is the rapid growth of data centers in Virginia, as outlined by PJM in their RTEP Window 3 Reliability Analysis report.  

Neither PJM nor PSEG can provide a clear explanation of how, if at all, Maryland residents will benefit from the electricity carried by these high-voltage power lines. 

The MPRP is designed to transport electricity from Pennsylvania to Northern Virginia, largely bypassing Maryland's needs. Meanwhile, customers across PJM’s service area, including Maryland, will see this burden reflected in their electric bills, effectively subsidizing the operations of some of the wealthiest corporations without receiving direct benefits. This is not only unfair, but it also places an unnecessary financial strain on the people and businesses of Maryland.

Outdated Infrastructure:  The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project relies on outdated infrastructure that poses unnecessary risks to our environment and communities. Instead of pursuing harmful high-voltage transmission lines, we advocate for exploring more sustainable and efficient alternatives.

Lack of Comprehensive Energy Planning: Maryland lacks a well-integrated energy plan. The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project is not the result of a single policy failure, but rather a reflection of the broader, fragmented nature of our government’s approach to energy planning. Our state lacks a well-integrated, cohesive energy strategy, leading to siloed decision-making and disconnected policies that fail to account for the long-term impact on Maryland’s environment and communities.

As industries like data centers experience rapid growth, they are expanding without sufficient oversight or consideration for sustainable energy solutions. The MPRP exposes the critical gaps in Maryland's approach to energy planning, emphasizing the need for a unified vision that balances economic development with environmental preservation and the well-being of its residents.

Threats to Landowners and Agriculture: The project would require permanent easements on private properties, disrupting landowners' lives and businesses with the installation of 140-foot-tall transmission towers. Maryland’s farmers are essential to the region’s food security and economy, yet the MPRP threatens to strip them of valuable agricultural land, making farming operations more difficult or even impossible in some areas. The loss of agricultural land to power lines would have lasting consequences for our food system and economy.  

Adding to the concern, if landowners do not willingly grant easements to PSEG, there is a real possibility that eminent domain could be used to forcibly acquire their land. This not only sets a dangerous precedent for future projects but also erodes property rights, opening the door to further encroachments on private land across the state. At a time when we are facing an energy crisis, projects like this will only become more frequent unless we adopt a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to planning for Maryland's energy future. Without such foresight, private landowners and farmers will continue to bear the brunt of poorly planned infrastructure projects. 

Environmental and Landscape Preservation: The project poses a serious threat to Maryland’s natural beauty, cutting through farmlands, conservation areas, and historic sites. The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) threatens 4,000 acres of land, including forests, farmland, and wildlife habitats, with long-term environmental damage. The construction of high-voltage transmission lines would lead to habitat loss, wildlife disruption, increased fire risks, and ecosystem degradation, affecting local rivers, soil health, and carbon storage. These impacts, coupled with the reduction of vital ecosystem services like water purification and flood control, underscore the need for more sustainable energy alternatives.

At Stop MPRP, Inc., we believe in advocating for smarter, more sustainable solutions that prioritize Maryland’s communities, environment, and agricultural heritage.

There are modern, cost-effective alternatives to large transmission projects like the MPRP that could meet energy demands without the need for new powerlines that disrupt private land and ecosystems such as:

• Upgrade Existing Infrastructure: Reconductoring existing power lines with advanced materials can double their capacity quickly and efficiently, reducing the need for new transmission lines.
• Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs): Solutions like dynamic line ratings can optimize the capacity of the current system by using weather conditions, such as wind, to cool transmission wires and increase their ability to carry more energy.
• Battery Storage: Advanced battery storage solutions can help balance the grid by storing excess energy during off-peak times and releasing it when demand is higher.
• High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Technology: HVDC lines are more efficient at transmitting electricity over long distances, minimizing energy losses and reducing environmental impact.
• Promote Microgrids: Data centers, a major driver of increased energy demand, should be encouraged to generate their own power through onsite, carbon-neutral microgrids, reducing strain on the main grid.

Unfortunately, PJM, the organization overseeing the MPRP, does not consider many non-transmission alternatives unless they are already in development and approved. As a result, potentially cost-effective and less disruptive solutions, like those listed above, are often left off the table.

Please visit our Alternatives page to learn more about these options. 

The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) will directly impact communities in Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties, where high-voltage transmission lines are proposed to cut across farms, private properties, and conservation areas. However, the financial impact of this project extends far beyond these counties. All customers in PJM’s service area, which includes Maryland, will bear a portion of the $424 million cost through their electric bills, regardless of where they live. 

A finalized proposed route for the project has been published, but please note that changes may still be made during the CPCN process. 

Simply put, yes. People have successfully stopped or altered transmission projects in the past through coordinated community efforts, legal action, and lobbying. Success typically comes when communities unite to raise awareness of the environmental, financial, and property rights concerns associated with these projects.   The more people who stand together with us, the stronger we become.

The project faces significant risks and challenges that could prevent it's completion:

• Regulatory Approvals and Permits: The project requires numerous regulatory approvals and permits from federal, state, and local agencies. These include approvals from the Maryland Public Service Commission (CPCN), the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and more. Delays or difficulties in securing these approvals could halt the project​. 
• Rights-of-Way Acquisition: The project must acquire new rights-of-way (ROW) for almost the entire 70-mile route. This includes negotiating with private landowners, which has been met with extreme local opposition and resistance, which could significantly impact the timeline
• Coordination with Other Transmission Projects: The project is dependent on the successful completion of other transmission upgrades built concurrently by three other transmission owners (APS, BG&E, and PPL). Delays or failures in these projects would directly affect the progress and completion of the PSEG MPRP.
• Environmental and Construction Risks: The project is subject to various environmental risks, including potential impacts on wetlands and floodplains. Additionally, construction risks, such as the complexities of building in greenfield areas and obtaining all necessary permits on a tight timeline, add further challenges​.
• Aggressive Timeline: PJM has mandated that the project be in service by June 1, 2027, necessitating an aggressive schedule for securing permits and completing construction. Any delays in permitting or construction could make it impossible to meet this deadline​. 

The project is subject to Maryland's Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), a critical regulatory requirement for large utility projects in Maryland. It’s issued by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and involves a public process where stakeholders can provide input on the proposed project. 

The CPCN process, including timelines and specific requirements, is outlined on the Maryland Public Service Commission’s website and summarized in this presentation.  

We are also regularly releasing information about this process, which can be found here: CPCN Process

There are many ways you can help right now. These include:

1. Become a member. Stop MPRP, Inc. is a membership organization, which enables us to legally represent the interests of our members. Individual dues are just $10 per year. You do not have to live in the MPRP study area to become a member. Talk to your neighbors, tell them about the project, and share our website. The more people who support our work, the stronger we will be. You can access a flyer here to distribute to your network.
2. Donate to Stop MPRP, Inc. We are a nonprofit organization under the 501(c)4 rules so that means your donation directly to Stop MPRP, Inc. is not tax deductible to you, the donor. There are two ways to donate: 1) Our GoFundMe campaign, or 2) Send a check to Stop MPRP, Inc. to P.O. Box 329 Parkton, MD 21120Subscribe to our email list for updates.
3. Volunteer. Become a volunteer with Stop MPRP, Inc., and help us win the fight by attending events,  conducting research, and more. 
4. Show your support! You can buy shirts or other merch here. 
5. If you have not already done so write to the Maryland Public Service Commission! The PSC is the entity responsible for granting permit approval for MPRP. Email your concerns to become part of the public record used in the final decision. Email: piedmontcomments.psc@maryland.gov 
6. Subscribe to our email list for updates.

 PJM Interconnection is a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It oversees the coordination of electricity sales and transmission across all or parts of 13 states, including Maryland, as well as the District of Columbia.

One of PJM’s key responsibilities is long-term grid planning through its Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP). This process identifies necessary upgrades and expansions to ensure the electrical grid remains reliable. When a need arises, PJM opens competitive “planning windows,” inviting transmission developers to submit proposals. PJM then reviews and selects the best solutions.

The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) is part of 2022 RTEP Window 3 which resulted in a historic level of new transmission system projects. The project was largely driven by the rising energy demands of data centers, primarily located in Northern Virginia. Since regional grids are interconnected and electricity flows across state borders, the impact of this growing demand extends into Maryland.

The Tri-County Coalition is not part of Stop MPRP, Inc. The coalition is an group of organizations and individuals who meet and discuss areas mutual of interests. Stop MPRP, Inc. volunteers have participated in coalition meetings but the organization is not "in" the coalition. Being in a coalition as a "member" would require an agreement between the entities and individuals who participate in coalition meetings to protect everyone's interest. 

Stop MPRP, Inc. remains fully supportive of everyone's individual and collective efforts to stop the proposed MPRP and we sincerely appreciate the many hours of work each person has devoted to the save our land from destruction. 

Each Maryland has four (4) main bodies of Elected Officials who make policy and pass legislation on behalf of the people. They are: 

1. U.S. Congressional District (including the Senate and House of Representatives)
2. Maryland State Senate District
3. Maryland State House of Delegates District
4. County Councilmanic District

We've put together this information to help, or you can enter your address at this link and identify each of your elected officials. It is important that you take every opportunity to share your views with the people who are in place to represent you. 

No, Stop MPRP, Inc. did not establish the Facebook group titled "Stop MPRP Community Group" though several of our members and volunteers are a member of that community group. Stop MPRP, Inc. does not have editorial or admin control over the group and we do not make decisions about posts, comments, etc. 

Stop MPRP, Inc. maintains an official organization page and we encourage those who are on Facebook to follow our organization page for official updates.