Western Maryland residents face uncertainty over power line tied to data center demand

A new high-voltage power line, the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL), is proposed to span 107 miles, originating in southeastern Pennsylvania and traversing West Virginia and Maryland’s Garrett and Allegany counties before concluding in Frederick County, Virginia, adjacent to the data center-heavy Loudoun County. This project, spearheaded by developer NextEra Energy and approved by grid operator PJM Interconnection in December 2023, is designated as a "Baseline Reliability Project" to address the escalating electricity demands from AI data centers and bolster regional transmission. However, residents in Western Maryland, particularly Garrett County, are voicing strong opposition. Mark Stutzman, communications director for Engage Mountain Maryland, an environmental advocacy group, articulates concerns that the MARL project will degrade the area's natural landscapes and adversely affect local farm owners. The proposed route potentially impacts 388 properties, raising fears of eminent domain utilization for land acquisition. NextEra Energy has stated its commitment to community engagement, noting extensive public input and eight open houses conducted along the route. Despite this, experts like Benjamin Hobbs, an environmental management professor at Johns Hopkins University, question the net benefits of the MARL line for Maryland ratepayers. The project is currently undergoing state regulatory review with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), and residents have until April 3 to file petitions to intervene, preceding a pre-hearing conference slated for April 9 in Baltimore.