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SB 952

Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - Overhead Transmission Lines - Grid Enhancing Technologies

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Brooks and 5 co-sponsors

SB 952 requires Maryland PSC to evaluate grid enhancing technologies as alternatives to new overhead transmission lines (>69 kV) in CPCN reviews, expanding non-build options.

Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 952

SB 952 — Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity: Overhead Transmission Lines — Grid Enhancing Technologies

Status: Introduced Jan 28, 2025. Hearing (Education, Energy, and the Environment): 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
Effective date (as introduced): October 1, 2025.
Cross‑file / companion: HB 1397 (Economic Matters).

Main purpose

SB 952 directs the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to explicitly consider "grid enhancing technologies" (GETs) as part of its review before taking final action on applications for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct new overhead transmission lines. The goal is to make GETs an evaluated alternative to new line construction.

Key provisions

  • Adds a definition of “grid enhancing technologies” to the Public Utilities Article:
    • GETs are “infrastructure, hardware, or software that increases the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or resilience of a new or existing transmission line.”
    • Examples specifically included: high‑performance conductors and storage used as transmission.
  • Amends § 7‑207(f) so that, for overhead transmission line CPCNs (lines designed to carry >69,000 volts), the PSC must consider:
    • The need to meet current and future electric demand;
    • Alternative routes (already required); and
    • The use of grid enhancing technologies as an alternative to construction of the transmission line.
  • Retains existing CPCN-related requirements, including consideration of local government recommendations, environmental/economic impacts, ongoing compliance with PJM/NERC/FERC obligations, and identification of whether the line would be sited on brownfields, existing easements, or use existing tower components.

Who is affected

  • Electric utilities and project developers filing CPCN applications for new overhead transmission lines (>69 kV).
  • The PSC, which must include GETs in its formal evaluation of alternatives before issuing or denying a CPCN.
  • Local governments, stakeholders, and the public participating in the CPCN review process.
  • Third parties (e.g., PJM, environmental agencies) whose analyses and recommendations are part of the CPCN review.

Procedural and fiscal notes

  • The CPCN process remains unchanged in structure (notice, public hearings, interagency review); SB 952 adds GETs to the set of alternatives PSC must evaluate prior to final action.
  • Fiscal impact: The Maryland Department of Legislative Services fiscal note indicates PSC can implement the bill with existing budgeted resources; the bill is not expected to materially affect State or local finances.

Potential effects and context

  • By requiring consideration of GETs, the bill may encourage evaluation of non‑build or lower‑impact alternatives (e.g., conductor upgrades, storage-as-transmission, advanced controls) that can increase capacity or reliability without new rights‑of‑way.
  • Could affect project design choices, permitting timelines, and cost–benefit analyses for proposed transmission projects, depending on how rigorously PSC weighs GET alternatives in practice.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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