BGE Substation
BGE plans to build a 35+-acre regional substation in the Piney Run Rural Legacy Area. Residents of Kemp Road and the surrounding area received shocking news in late 2010 when they discovered that the 90-acre Camp Holiday property had been sold to BGE. BGE plans to build a very large regional substation, called the Emory Grove Substation, that will have both a 500kV yard and a 230 kV yard and connect to the existing power line that cuts through this area and is adjacent to the former Camp Holiday property. BGE anticipates using 30-40 acres for the transformers.
VPC and neighbors have serious concerns. Chief among them is using land that is targeted for agricultural preservation and is surrounded by eased properties for such an intensive, industrial use. The intention of conservation zoning and easement efforts in this area was not designed to provide opportune sites for major facilities, but rather to preserve large blocks of land with the best soils for farming and forests. In addition to environmental, health, lighting, noise, and other general safety concerns, residents are also concerned about expected upgrades to Kemp Road and possibly other local roads to aid the construction phase. In addition, there is a real concern that development of this major facility will set the stage for additional transmission lines in the future. Studies have been conducted that show a new high-voltage transmission line connecting the new Emory Grove Substation with a planned substation in Mt. Airy (Frederick County). The path for this line would cut through a number of rural properties under conservation easement in Baltimore and Carroll counties. That plan also calls for an additional line along the existing transmission corridor that would require the existing right-of-way to be widened by 150′.
BGE has stated that they have no plans for additional lines at this time, however, decisions could be made by regional or national entities. The fear is the old “build it and they will come” syndrome. Many believe that once these new regional substations are built, new transmission lines will likely follow.
VPC has a working committee that is monitoring the project and exploring alternatives and options and hopes to work with BGE to find the best solution for addressing its distribution needs while respecting the valid concerns of local residents. The committee welcomes expertise from members, particularly anyone with a background in electrical engineering.
BGE officials made a presentation to residents at a December 2010 meeting.
