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Title: Protected Maryland Wildlands at Stake in Laws for Electric Power Line
A recent legislative proposal has sparked intense debate in the Maryland General Assembly regarding the protection of sensitive wildlands. The move to enable NextEra, a company owned and operated by FirstEnergy, to build electric transmission lines through these areas has garnered significant opposition.
Conservation groups, environmental organizations, and local stakeholders have spoken out against the bill, citing concerns about the irreparable harm it would cause to the region’s ecosystems. Kurt R. Schwarz, conservation chair emeritus of the Maryland Ornithological Society, emphasized that the destruction of these wildlands would be catastrophic for already declining bird populations.
“Trees are felled along the line, and vegetation below the lines is permanently suppressed. Support roads destroy and fragment additional forest,” Schwarz noted, highlighting the devastating impact on biodiversity.
Additionally, opponents have argued that alternative routes and technologies exist to deliver necessary energy infrastructure without compromising protected wildlands. This stance aligns with Maryland’s commitment to conservation and sustainability while still meeting the state’s energy needs.
Other concerns raised by stakeholders include the potential for irreversible damage to wildlife habitats, water quality, and natural beauty. Emily Tarsell, president of Health Choice Maryland, warned that allowing these invasions into protected wildlands would set a bad precedent for public-private partnerships engaging in land grabs.
The bills, HB1270 and SB 399, have yet to encounter significant hurdles as they continue their passage through both chambers of the legislature. If enacted by Gov. Wes Moore on October 1, either bill will become law, leaving these wildlands vulnerable to destruction.
In this article, we explore the opposition that has risen against the proposal to build electric transmission lines through Maryland wildlands and the potential consequences if passed into law
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/noelfletcher/2025/03/26/protected-maryland-wildlands-at-stake-in-laws-for-electric-power-line/
