LOCAL

Maryland Public Service Commission sets guidelines for power-line hearings

Mike Lewis
mlewis@herald-mail.com

The Maryland Public Service Commission has issued guidelines for public hearings on a proposed power-line project.

The sessions will gather comments on plans by Transource to build two transmission lines from Pennsylvania into Maryland. PJM Interconnection hired Transource to build the lines to address what has been called “congestion” of the grid in certain areas.

The project totals 45 miles. A western leg would run a line from near Shippensburg, Pa., to the Ringgold substation near Smithsburg. An eastern leg would install a line from York County, Pa., to Harford County, Md.

Public hearings are set for 11 a.m. April 27 at North Harford High School in Pylesville and at 11 a.m. May 18 at Smithsburg High School in Smithsburg. Those who want to comment on the proposal are welcome to attend one or both hearings.

The commission sent an email Monday outlining guidelines to help expedite the meetings.

• Sign-in sheets will be available at each hearing location by 10 a.m. on the day of the hearing.

• The executive secretary will call on people to speak in the order in which they sign up.

• People will be permitted to speak only once, with a limit of 3 minutes.

• The hearing will conclude when the last person who has signed up has commented.

• People may speak, bring written comments and hand them to the executive secretary or deputy executive secretary, or both. Written comments should reference Case No. 9471 and may be mailed by May 29 to Terry J. Romine, executive secretary, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul St., 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.

The application is available at www.psc.state.md.us.

— Mike Lewis