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This story was originally published by Floodlight.
In July, Joanne Frederick’s life took an unexpected turn when she received an alarming message from her neighbor. They alerted her to a proposed transmission line that would carve through her farm in Baltimore County, Maryland, land that has been in her family for generations, originally belonging to her great-grandparents.
The farm, which Frederick’s family had owned for decades, was sold in 2004 to fund her grandmother’s healthcare expenses. However, in 2020, Frederick was able to repurchase the farm, restoring around 100 acres of conserved land to her family’s stewardship. This property is protected by two conservation easements, which aim to ensure its ongoing preservation.
“I can’t even cut down a tree on my own property, and now they want to destroy five acres of ancient woodland,” Frederick stated, lamenting the potential impact of the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP), the controversial transmission line proposal.
The MPRP is set to stretch 70 miles from the Peach Bottom nuclear power facility in Pennsylvania, through Maryland, ultimately supplying energy to data centers in Virginia, which hosts about 35% of the world’s data centers. The anticipated construction threatens over 4,000 acres of desirable land, comprising farmland, forests, and protected wildlife habitats. Locals in Maryland are rallying against it, arguing that their land is being sacrificed for the benefit of external corporate interests.
As the country grapples with soaring energy demands fueled by artificial intelligence and the expansion of data centers, the conflict surrounding the MPRP in Maryland may set a precedent that other communities across the nation will face in their struggles for climate justice.
Rising Demand for Energy Amidst AI Growth
Energy demand is rapidly increasing, primarily driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. A recent report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Energy Lab cited that energy consumption from data centers could potentially “double or triple by 2028.” Currently, data centers account for about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity usage.
By the year 2028, this percentage could rise to between 6.7% and 12%. The consulting firm GridStrategies estimated a five-fold increase in electricity growth forecasts, which raises significant uncertainties regarding future demand trends.
This escalated demand poses a considerable challenge to the U.S. electrical grid, which many experts deem inadequately prepared for such surges after two decades of stagnant power demands. Inability to accommodate this increased load may lead to widespread blackouts, propelling the necessity for new transmission infrastructure according to various stakeholders.
The energy company behind the MPRP, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), refrained from commenting directly for this article but referred to a statement on their website, emphasizing the project’s importance for Maryland’s expanding energy needs.
The company argued, “Maryland has historically been a net-importer of electricity, which indicates that the state consumes more power than it produces. … To ensure grid reliability, especially as electricity consumption increases and we transition to greener energy sources, the state’s transmission infrastructure must be enhanced.”
Local Opposition Grows
Tensions ran high during recent public hearings. Many attendees voiced their concerns that the project primarily serves out-of-state interests, jeopardizing their land and livelihoods. Betsy McFarland, a resident whose 3 acres in Frederick County are on the proposed line’s route, expressed her frustration, stating, “They want to use Maryland as an extension cord.”
Having relocated to the area two decades ago seeking a nature-centric lifestyle, McFarland feels deeply connected to the land surrounding her home—the local creek, the bald eagles flying above, and even the copperhead snakes. The transmission line would disrupt the serenity she cherishes. McFarland described the moment she learned about the proposed line as a “complete gut punch.”
While the company offered McFarland compensation for the land affected, she believes it fails to reflect the true value of her property and the peace it represents. She asserts that the emotional toll of losing her home and its surroundings outweighs any financial incentive. McFarland intends to fight against the project, not out of technological opposition, but because she wants to advocate for sustainable solutions that genuinely benefit the community.
Debating Projections of Energy Demand
PJM, the regional transmission organization responsible for electricity distribution across several states, including Maryland, projects that demand will rise “1.7% per year for summer peaks, 2% for winter peaks and 2.4% for net energy” over the next decade, as outlined in its long-term load report.
This potential increase, paired with the planned retirement of various power generation plants, raises concerns about PJM’s ability to meet demand reliably, as Susan Buehler, a PJM communications specialist, indicated. “This is why the Maryland Piedmont line is needed,” she stated, emphasizing electricity reliability as a top priority.
However, John Quigley, a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, argues that the demand forecasts may be overstated. He suggests that projections regarding AI’s effect on energy consumption are premature, as emerging technologies may enhance efficiency significantly. Quigley points to developments such as a Chinese AI company’s new chatbot, released recently, which operates on significantly less energy compared to its U.S. counterparts.
“Everybody’s panicking,” Quigley warned, cautioning against hasty decisions that may adversely affect climate goals and harm local landowners like those involved in the MPRP dispute. He advocates for a thoughtful approach to transitioning towards clean energy rather than rushing into resource-intensive solutions.
Exploring Alternatives to New Power Lines
While some believe new lines will eventually be necessary, Quigley asserts that the current situation allows for alternative strategies that can enhance grid capacity without rushing into new infrastructure projects. A recent study from Duke University finds that load flexibility—allowing large consumers like data centers to voluntarily cut back during peak demand—could prove beneficial. This would facilitate the integration of new loads into the existing grid while curtailing the need for premature investment in more extensive transmission lines.
Other innovations include data centers exploring on-site power generation, allowing them to operate independently from the grid. Some are even advocating for the incorporation of small modular reactors once they are commercially viable and utilizing solar energy to power extensive data facilities.
The MPRP is currently seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Maryland Public Service Commission, required for significant state energy projects. As this review process unfolds—amidst broader national concerns regarding powering data centers—Frederick emphasizes the critical nature of their fight against the MPRP. She believes the outcomes could significantly influence similar disputes in communities nationwide.
“If we allow this to set a precedent, permitting for-profit utilities and technology companies to acquire private farmland and conservation lands for the sake of data centers, they will undoubtedly return,” she warned.
Floodlight is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powers stalling climate action.
Source
www.renewableenergyworld.com