Maryland lawmakers are preparing legislation to protect farms from being seized under eminent domain as the state looks to upgrade its power grid to support AI data centers. Delegate Nino Mangione is set to propose the "Protect Maryland Farm Act," which mandates a 350% premium over the highest land appraisals to compensate small farms along the 70-mile transmission line route in Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick counties.
The project, led by the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), seeks to build new high-voltage power lines as part of the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project. These lines would supply energy to AI data centers being developed in Frederick County. The project, however, has sparked considerable opposition from local farmers and residents who fear losing their property and livelihood to corporate interests.
Maryland Bill Aims To Protect Farms From Eminent Domain Threat For New AI Data Center Power Lineshttps://t.co/Qv9JRyDmto#freedomsphoenix pic.twitter.com/djRlyJJvAe
— FreedomsPhoenix (@FreedomsPhoenix) September 10, 2024
Mangione's proposed bill would be retroactive to 2024, ensuring that any farms already impacted by land seizure plans could receive the enhanced compensation. "Many of these farmers depend on this land for their way of life," Mangione emphasized, stressing the need for fair compensation given the potential disruption to rural Maryland.
Baltimore County Delegate Michele Guyton has voiced her support for the legislation, criticizing the use of eminent domain to advance corporate projects. She has already submitted a bill to the General Assembly aiming to protect landowners' rights in such scenarios. Meanwhile, Delegate Christopher Tomlinson, representing Carroll and Frederick counties, highlighted the growing concern over Maryland's energy policies, predicting that energy infrastructure will be a dominant issue in the 2025 legislative session.
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The proposed power lines are part of a broader push to modernize America’s electrical grid to meet the demands of AI data centers, onshore manufacturing, and electric vehicles. But with thousands of miles of new transmission lines planned nationwide, critics argue that rural communities are being unfairly targeted for land seizures to support these large-scale projects.
Local opposition has been fierce, with over 10,000 Maryland residents forming a Facebook group to protest what they describe as the state’s "failed green energy policies." They argue that Maryland is heading towards an energy crisis, and residents will be the ones footing the bill as power costs rise due to grid upgrades. Legal experts have also weighed in, warning that Maryland's energy policies, driven by environmentalism, may lead to unintended consequences.
As the debate over the project escalates, local lawmakers continue to feel the pressure from constituents. Many are calling for more balanced approaches to energy development that do not come at the expense of rural landowners. The upcoming 2025 session is expected to see a wave of energy-related bills introduced, as Maryland grapples with the dual challenge of advancing its energy infrastructure while protecting the rights of its citizens.
The battle over eminent domain and land rights in Maryland underscores the growing tension between modernizing infrastructure and preserving local communities. How the state balances these interests will have significant implications for both its economic future and rural way of life.
