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A spring round of hearings is scheduled on a plan to run new power lines in Washington and Harford counties.
The schedule includes public hearings in March and evidentiary hearings before the Maryland Public Service Commission in April for the proposal by Transource. The PSC issued the order Wednesday.
Transource was hired by PJM Interconnection, which directs the operation of the region's electrical grid, to construct the project through parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
A utility study estimated the project would save $866.2 million in "congestion costs" over 15 years by providing lower-cost power to the region, which extends to include parts of Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Opponents say the project is not needed, would largely serve communities outside the area affected by the lines and would mar the rural landscape.
Estimated to cost about $320 million, the project totals 45 miles in two sections:
• A 16-mile stretch from a new substation in York County, Pa., to a substation in Harford County, Md.
• A 29-mile run from a new substation near Interstate 81 south of Shippensburg, Pa., to the Ringgold substation near Smithsburg.
The lines would hang from monopoles that would be about 135 feet tall and rise from a 130-foot right of way.
In its order Wednesday, the Maryland Public Service Commission said there will be public hearings — two each in Washington and Harford counties — during March. Transource is to work with officials in the respective counties to confirm locations and dates.
Evidentiary hearings are scheduled for April 8-12 and April 15-18 in Baltimore.
The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction for the stretches of proposed power lines in that state.
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