An Extension Cord Across Maryland: Why We Oppose PSEG’s Transmission Plan

By RWBC President Louise Baker

The Republican Women of Baltimore County stand firmly opposed to PSEG’s rushed and ill-conceived plan to install high-voltage transmission lines across Maryland properties. Framed by some as a necessary step for powering data centers, this project is, in reality, an “extension cord” that threatens the rights of landowners and the integrity of our communities.

We are deeply concerned about efforts to limit public involvement and restrict who can formally intervene in this process. Landowners—those who will be most directly affected—deserve a seat at the table, not to be sidelined in backroom decisions that put corporate interests above community wellbeing.

Equally troubling is the lack of transparency around energy alternatives. Why has PSEG failed to give serious consideration to nuclear, natural gas, or other diverse energy solutions? Why the narrow focus on electric-only power for data centers? In an era of technological innovation and energy diversity, this one-track approach is short-sighted and irresponsible.

Beyond the technical flaws, the project poses significant environmental and social risks. The loss of farmland, increased traffic, and long-term maintenance issues are not isolated to the proposed right-of-way—they will reverberate through entire neighborhoods, towns, and counties for decades to come.

This is not just about power lines—it’s about power. Who holds it, who gets to speak, and who is left to bear the burden of decisions made without consent or collaboration.

We call on PSEG to pause this process and return to the drawing board. Maryland deserves a thoughtful, community-driven approach that values long-term sustainability over short-term convenience.