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Understanding the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway: Impacts and Implications

Learn about the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway, its impact on the region, and implications for energy planning and the environment. Explore the involvement of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and potential impacts on the Chesapeake Bay.

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Understanding the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway: Impacts and Implications

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  1. An Introduction to the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway By Morgan Ellis Regional Land Use Planner The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

  2. The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy • A private, nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of farmland and habitat on the Eastern Shore. • Over 39,000 acres protected across 6 counties on the Delmarva Peninsula • 14 full-time staff and a 24 member board

  3. The Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway The Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway Source PJM Interconnect

  4. The Original Project • 230-mile high voltage transmission line • Connecting Possum Point coal-fire generation to Salem Nuclear power plant • Route • VA- 1 miles (on the Potomac River) • MD- 150 miles • DE and NJ- 80 miles

  5. 150-mile high voltage (500kV and 640kV) transmission line The Maryland route 70 miles through Calvert and Charles Co. 10-12 miles under the Chesapeake Bay 25-27 miles through Dorchester Co. 8 miles through Wicomico Co. Revised MAPP (May 2009) Source: Pepco Holdings INC

  6. MAPP and ESLC • Why did ESLC get involved? • Easement Defense • Board Position • Comprehensive Environmental Analysis • Comprehensive Review Process • Engagement • State of Maryland • Regional (Delmarva) • Local (Dorchester County)

  7. ESLC Engagement on MAPP • State Level • Filed to be official intervenor at the Public Services Commission level • Regional (Delmarva) • Meetings with elected officials • Media push • Local • Coordinated grassroots efforts with local partners

  8. Dorchester County Source: Libby Nagel Source: Libby Nagel Source: USGS

  9. Possible Impacts • Eco-Tourism • Harriet Tubman National Historical Park • Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge • The John Smith Water Trail • Environmental • Wildlife (i.e. wildlife habitat fragmentation) • Water Resources • Economical • Agricultural Land (i.e. irrigation systems) • Forest Land Fragmentation

  10. The Need? "An unexpected drop in U.S. electricity consumption has utility companies worried that the trend isn't a byproduct of the economic downturn, and could reflect a permanent shift in consumption that will require sweeping change in their industry." ~Rebecca Smith, Wall Street Journal, November 21,2008

  11. Comprehensive Energy Planning Comprehensive Energy Planning: • Transmission alternatives • Renewables and local generation • Energy Conservation Source: MD MEA Source: DOE Source: Blue Water Wind

  12. Implications for Maryland • State wide energy policy • Current process only allows PSC to consider one approach for maintaining energy reliability. • MD no comprehensive approach for meeting future energy needs • Will Maryland continue to be an importer of energy? • Impacts on future innovations in the renewable energy field

  13. Implications for the Chesapeake Bay • Only one other utility bay crossing • Telephone north of the Bay Bridge approx. 4 miles • Bay Crossing • 10-12 miles • Buried in trenches 6 to 13-feet wide and 9 feet deep • Equaling approximately 580 acres of Bay floor • Impacts • Direct • Bay and Tributaries

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