The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP)
If you are a landowner who may be affected by the current proposed routes or one of the alternative routes, what do you need to know now?
The MPRP is a 500,000-volt (500kV) transmission line designed to respond to growing electric needs in Maryland and the surrounding region. In order to move forward on the project, PSEG must acquire property rights from the affected landowners. Currently the affected landowners are located in Northern Baltimore, Frederick and Carroll Counties.
The property rights will likely consist of temporary and permanent easements for construction and permanent access for maintenance, repair and replacement and/or removal of the lines. An easement is a nonpossessory right to use and/or enter onto the real property of another without possessing it.
In accordance with the PSEG website, PSEG prefers to negotiate and reach agreement with property owners to acquire property rights and uses an appraisal-based approach, valuing the property rights needed based on fair market value. If PSEG and the property owner can’t agree on a value, PSEG may use the power of eminent domain to acquire the property rights. Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property and convert it into public use. This would require PSEG acquiring the Maryland Public Service Commission’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
PK Law’s Corporate and Real Estate Group can assist property owners affected by the current or proposed alternative routes with negotiations related to their property ownership interests and PSEG. For more information, or to be placed on a mailing list for additional information including PK Law webinars related to this matter, contact information@pklaw.com or reach out directly to one of our Corporate and Real Estate Attorneys.