Why Power Transmission Matters for our Land, Livelihood
As someone who grew up on a farm on the Eastern Shore, I understand the pride we take in our land: the beauty, history, and role it plays in shaping our communities.
I also remember the frustration of recurring power outages in Trappe and not having high-speed internet until a few years ago. Without new electric infrastructure, we risk continued reliability issues that threaten our homes, farms, and future. Smart, thoughtful expansion is essential.
Maryland’s electric grid is aging, and the power plants that once supplied our region are shutting down. Without new transmission lines to deliver energy often distant sources, our energy reliability will suffer and costs will rise.
Like many Maryland families, mine has seen electricity bills climb sharply. While several factors contribute, modernizing and improving the efficiency of our grid is one of the clearest paths to easing the burden.
Farmers feel these challenges more than most and rising energy costs hit our rural operations especially hard. Electricity powers irrigation systems, livestock/poultry operations, and cold storage. When storms strike, a stronger grid means fewer disruptions and faster recovery — critical for businesses that depend on constant power, like those handling perishable goods.
A modern grid is vital to keeping farms running and food on Maryland tables. It also helps reduce system bottlenecks and connects to more affordable power, which can stabilize or even lower rates over time.
This isn’t about powering far-off tech corridors; it’s about protecting the operations already here in Maryland.
I understand the concerns fellow landowners have. The idea of towers crossing productive farmland is hard to accept. But transmission lines can be designed with care, following field lines or roads, and easement payments can offer meaningful support for farm families facing tough economic times.
Farmers know the value of long-term investment. Transmission is essential infrastructure that, when done right, strengthens rural economies. Energy developers should work with landowners to ensure these projects respect the land and serve the communities they cross.
Maryland must invest in a grid that meets modern demands while protecting our agricultural legacy. The choices we make today will shape the reliability and affordability of power for generations to come.
