MAPP Power Line Case “Suspended” in Maryland

Back in July, there was big news in one of PATH’s sister power line cases in Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway or MAPP (Don’t you just love the cute acronyms.).  To quote the MD PSC’s Hearing Examiner ruling dated July 15, 2009 in case number 9179:

The applicants, Potomac Electric Power Company (“Pepco”), Delmarva Power and Light Company (“Delmarva”), and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (“BGE”), have filed a Motion to Amend the Procedural Schedule entered in this proceeding on April 15, 2009.  That motion has been opposed by various parties or subject to a request that the Procedural Schedule be suspended.  After considering the motion and the responses thereto, it is determined that the Procedural Schedule should be suspended.  The parties are hereafter directed to engage in consultations to prepare and propose another mutually agreed upon schedule that leads to the resolution of this proceeding.

Why was the case suspended?  Here is what the MD DNR’s Power Plant Research Program (PPRP) (Yes, MD actually has a government agency that studies whether investment in electrical power systems is needed and what its impact will be.) said in its motion to suspend the case:

Applicants’ motion also acknowledges that PJM staff recently concluded that a segment of the MAPP project is no longer required (Indian River to Salem), but then attempts to downplay the elimination of that segment by asserting, without explanation, that the eliminated segment was not the “focus” of their application, and that their request for a determination of need focuses on the Possum Point to Indian River portion of the line. Contrary to Applicants’ assertion, however, it is not clear whether or not the representations as to need that have been made thus far go to the project in its original entirety or remain valid for the now reduced scope of the project.

And:

Because of the significant uncertainties that currently exist with the proposed project, PPRP moves for a suspension of the procedural schedule until the Applicants have filed their supplemental materials, and the parties have had a reasonable opportunity to conduct a preliminary review regarding the scope and character of the new materials and changes to the project. PPRP cannot continue to expend significant State time and resources to evaluate a potentially changing project.

Here is a link to the MAPP case file on the MD PSC Web site.

Who da thunk it?  Maryland actually has state government agencies that are trying to figure out if new power lines are actually needed.  Those agencies aren’t just willing to accept whatever the power companies tell them without question.

The Maryland PSC actually stands up for Maryland citizens.

In August, I listened to a WV PSC staff attorney tell members of the Joint Legislative Finance Committee that without the consent of the power companies, the WV PSC could not suspend its own PATH case.

Well, WV PSC, Maryland has shown you how it’s done.  You stand up for your state and suspend the case.  It’s that simple.