Carroll County Lawmakers Push Back Against PSEG Land Access: “No Approval, No Trespassing”

After a court ruling granted conditional access to landowners’ property for surveys related to the controversial MPRP power line project, Maryland legislators demand answers and transparency.

By Michael Phillips

The Carroll County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly has formally demanded answers from energy giant PSEG after landowners began receiving letters authorizing the company to enter their property for surveys—despite no final approval of the controversial MPRP (Mid-Atlantic Power Reliability Project) transmission line.

In a letter addressed to James Gilroy of PSEG’s State Government Affairs office, the bipartisan delegation—including Senators Justin Ready and Chris West, along with Delegates Chris Tomlinson, April Rose, Eric Bouchat, and Josh Stonko—called for more transparency and accountability. The lawmakers noted that residents are confused, alarmed, and frustrated by the lack of clear communication surrounding the project, especially given a recent court ruling that, while under appeal, granted PSEG access to perform land surveys.

“PSEG is asking each landowner to contact their land agent,” the letter reads. “We fear that the lack of transparency will result in the less savvy landowners being subject to more intrusive and frequent surveys.”

The letter requests that PSEG provide:

1. A copy of the agreement intended for landowners;
2. A breakdown of the types of surveys planned;
3. The timing and duration of surveys;
4. A list of properties affected;
5. A guarantee that all data collected will be provided to landowners.

Senator Justin Ready, who posted the letter on social media, emphasized the delegation’s united opposition to the project, citing community outrage and a breakdown in procedural safeguards.

“We’ve heard from many constituents who are obviously concerned and upset,” Ready posted. “Our Carroll Delegation is united in opposition to MPRP—as are our county commissioners. We will use every means at our disposal to fight this.”

Critics of the MPRP have argued that PSEG’s actions amount to a premature land grab and accuse the company of bypassing proper notification, due process, and even filling out forms improperly—claims amplified by activists and watchdogs like @STOPMPRP on social media.

One such post reads: “Forms weren’t even filled out correctly. But they still thought they had the right to just come on someone’s property. NO WAY.”

Opposition to the MPRP spans legal, environmental, and civil liberties concerns. Many landowners fear a slippery slope: that early survey access could become a backdoor approval for a project that hasn’t cleared key regulatory or public hurdles. Some opponents believe the Moore administration’s silence or potential approval of early activity raises further questions about executive overreach and property rights violations.

Whether or not PSEG responds to the delegation’s request remains to be seen. But for now, Carroll County’s lawmakers are drawing a line in the sand—and they’re not alone.

“No project of this scale should bulldoze over landowners before it’s even approved,” said Delegate Josh Stonko. “This is still America. Property rights matter.”