1	Transmission Line Projects in Maryland – an Overview Sandra S. Patty PPRP - Manager, Transmission Projects State Agencies Meeting Tawes State Office Building, Annapolis, MD April 24, 2008
2	Transmission Licensing in Maryland Pre-application Early and often communication encouraged Preliminary issues are identified and provided to State Agencies This is where we are in the process Filed Application Coordinated review by the State Agencies Results in cohesive, comprehensive State recommended licensing conditions Evidentiary hearing process takes place and public hearings are held PSC Responsibilities Review the State Agencies’ recommendations Issue a final order granting or denying the CPCN
3	CPCN Transmission Line Application Requirements Applies to the construction or modification of an overhead transmission line (greater than 69,000 volts) The application should include: A list of each local, state, or federal government agency having authority to approve or disapprove the construction or operation of the project and an indication of whether necessary approval has been obtained Information as described by COMAR 20.79.04.01: Explanation of the need for the project in meeting demands for service; Description of the effect on system stability and reliability; Description of the consequences if delayed or not approved; Explanation of the cost effectiveness, including an estimate of capital cost and annual operating cost; and Description of the impact on the economies of the State.
4	CPCN Transmission Line Application Requirements (Cont.) Information as described by COMAR 20.79.04.02 Engineering and construction features, including: Width, length, and total acreage of the right-of-way; Line voltage, number of circuits, number of circuits per structure; Structure type and dimensions, conductor configuration and size; Nominal capacity (MVA), and nominal length of span between structures. Property or property right acquired or to be acquired; Access roads for construction or maintenance either existing or to be built; Location and identification of the following sites from which the project would be clearly visible: Historical, institutional land, recreational area, esthetic, archeological, wildlife management areas, and parks or forests; Location and identification of all portions of the right-of-way requiring construction within the 100-year floodplain of any stream; Location and identification of any public airport 1 mile or less from the transmission line; and Depiction on suitable topographic map (minimum scale: 1 inch = 2,000 feet).
5	CPCN Transmission Line Application Requirements (Cont.) Alternative transmission line route evaluation as described by COMAR 20.79.04.03 Estimate of the capital and annual cost of each alternative route, and Statement of the reason why each alternative route was rejected Environmental information as described by COMAR 20.79.04.04: General description of the physical, biological, aesthetic, cultural features, and conditions of the site and adjacent areas; Summary of the environmental and socioeconomic effects of the construction and operation of the project, including a description of the unavoidable impacts and recommended mitigation; Copy of all studies of the environmental impact of the proposed project prepared by the applicant; and A statement of the ability to conform to the applicable environmental standards. An implementation schedule for the project
6	Permits and Approvals for Transmission Lines in MD CPCN (PSC, MDNR, MDE) Required for most overhead transmission > 69-kV Air Usually incorporated into the CPCN Not a significant issue for transmission projects Water Stormwater permits required for construction Tidal and non-tidal wetlands MD’s Coastal Zone Management Program State-listed fisheries resources and species protection Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas Act Waste Solid waste disposal – construction/demolition debris PCB registration – removal/disposal of pre-1980s transformers Lands/Buildings Rezoning application Local building permits – for construction activity Highway Oversized-equipment deliveries New roadway access permit Other National Historic Preservation Act MHT Act Utility occupancy of SHA-owned land Forest Conservation (MDNR) Grading permit Sediment and erosion control
7	Proposed Projects Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway (MAPP) – Pepco Holdings, Inc. Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) – Allegheny/AEP Joint Venture Other Transmission Projects Urbana Electric Capacity Upgrade – Allegheny Raphael Road to Bagley Rebuild – BGE Holland Cliffs to Helen Creek Rebuild – SMECO
8	Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI) 500-kV line extending 230 miles through VA, MD, DE, and NJ 177 miles planned on or near existing ROW Entire portion through Southern MD on existing ROW PHI will obtain new ROW in Dorchester Co. (200 ft.) Water crossings planned: Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke Rivers Chesapeake Bay (approx. 8 miles from Calvert Cliffs to Dorchester Co.) Affected counties in MD: Charles, Calvert, Prince George’s, Dorchester, and Wicomico Two 230-kV lines also planned (in Dorchester and Wicomico Co.) To address local reliability issues; not yet approved by PJM Schedule: PHI may file application in phases with Southern MD portion filed during the last quarter of 2008; Eastern Shore portion by 2^nd quarter of 2009 First segment (Possum Point to Calvert Cliffs) to be completed by 2011 Calvert Cliffs to Indian River completed by 2012 Last segment (Indian River to Salem) finished by 2013
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22	Allegheny/AEP Joint Venture 244 miles of 765-kV line from the John Amos to Bedington substations (WV) 46 miles of twin-circuit 500-kV line from Bedington to a proposed substation near Kemptown, MD (southeast of Frederick) No routing details have been provided by Allegheny thus far Affected counties in MD: Washington and Frederick Possibly Montgomery and Carroll, depending on final location of the substation near Kemptown Schedule: Application expected to be filed by December 1, 2008 June of 2012 target date for completion of this project
23
24	Other Transmission Projects Urbana Electricity Upgrade (Allegheny Power) Located in Urbana, MD (near Frederick) Proposed project filed in 2004; PSC denied CPCN request in 2005 with order instructing Allegheny to begin immediate development of an energy solution for Urbana With the assistance of a small group of stakeholders, the goal is to have a proposed solution by summer 2008
25	Other Transmission Projects (Cont.) Raphael Road to Bagley Rebuild (BGE) Upgrade of 6 miles of transmission facilities from Raphael Road substation to proposed Bagley substation (northeast of Baltimore) Single-circuit 230-kV line upgraded to double-circuit 230-kV Occurs within existing ROW; however, passes through Gunpowder Falls State Park Application to be filed during mid-2008
26	Raphael Road to Bagley Rebuild (BGE)
27	Other Transmission Projects (Cont.) Holland Cliffs to Helen Creek Rebuild (SMECO) Upgrade 69-kV line from Holland Cliffs to proposed Helen Creek substation to 230-kV Project occurs within existing ROW Designed to create a continuous “loop” of electricity service around SMECO’s service area Application to be filed late October/early November 2008
28	For more information….