Public Service Commission - Transmission Line Siting - Limitations
Summary
SB 853 would limit when the Maryland Public Service Commission may approve new overhead transmission lines. Under the bill, the Commission could not authorize construction of an overhead transmission line that does not use an existing transmission line right-of-way unless the applicant shows that existing rights-of-way are not sufficient for the proposed project. If the Commission finds existing rights-of-way are insufficient, it may still authorize a new overhead line, but only within 0.25 miles of an existing overhead transmission line.
The bill also preserves and clarifies local government permitting authority for projects approved through a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Counties and municipalities would continue to review local permits, but they could not make those permits contingent on obtaining a conditional use approval, special exception approval, or floating zone approval for any part of the project. The bill is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
SB 853 would amend Section 7-207 of the Public Utilities Article to narrow the siting options for overhead transmission lines and to impose a preference for using existing transmission corridors. It would affect the Public Service Commission’s authority to issue certificates for transmission projects and would constrain where new overhead lines may be built. It would also affect counties and municipal corporations by limiting the land-use approvals they may require as conditions for local permits tied to PSC-certified energy infrastructure projects.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the supplied materials. Based on the bill text, the measure appears aimed at balancing transmission expansion with land-use and corridor-preservation concerns, suggesting an intent to reduce impacts on new areas while still allowing needed infrastructure where existing rights-of-way are inadequate.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the tradeoff between utility siting flexibility and local/community impacts. Supporters may favor the bill’s emphasis on using existing transmission corridors and limiting new overhead lines in undeveloped areas, while opponents may argue that the restrictions could make it harder or more expensive to build needed transmission infrastructure. Another likely issue is local control: the bill preserves permit review by counties and municipalities but limits their ability to require certain zoning-related approvals, which may be viewed as a preemption of local land-use authority.