Proposed Maryland Legislation Seeks to Protect Farms from Eminent Domain for AI Power Lines

Maryland legislators are drafting a bill to prevent farms from being taken through eminent domain as the state plans to enhance its power grid for AI data centers. Delegate Nino Mangione intends to introduce the “Protect Maryland Farm Act,” which requires a 350% premium above the highest land appraisals to compensate small farms located along the 70-mile transmission line route in Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick counties.

The initiative, led by the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), aims to construct new high-voltage power lines as part of the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project. These lines will provide power to AI data centers under development in Frederick County. However, the project is facing opposition from local farmers and residents concerned about losing their land and livelihood to corporate endeavors.

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 legislation would apply retroactively from 2024, ensuring that farms already affected by land seizure plans could receive increased compensation. Mangione stressed the significance of fair compensation for these farmers who rely on their land for their way of life, highlighting the potential disruption to rural Maryland.

Baltimore County Delegate Michele Guyton has expressed support for the bill, criticizing the use of eminent domain for corporate ventures. She has already presented a bill to the General Assembly aimed at safeguarding landowners’ rights in such situations. Meanwhile, Delegate Christopher Tomlinson, representing Carroll and Frederick counties, has raised concerns about Maryland’s energy policies, foreseeing that energy infrastructure will be a major topic in the 2025 legislative session.

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The proposed power lines are part of a broader effort to modernize the U.S. electrical grid to meet the demands of AI data centers, domestic manufacturing, and electric vehicles. However, with numerous miles of new transmission lines planned nationwide, critics argue that rural areas are unfairly targeted for land seizures to support these large-scale projects.

Local opposition has been strong, with over 10,000 Maryland residents forming a Facebook group to protest what they see as the state’s “failed green energy policies.” They believe Maryland is heading towards an energy crisis, and residents will bear the burden as power costs increase due to grid upgrades. Legal experts have also warned that Maryland’s energy policies, driven by environmental concerns, could have unintended consequences.

As discussions about the project intensify, local lawmakers are under pressure from their constituents. Many are demanding more equitable approaches to energy development that do not come at the expense of rural landowners. The upcoming 2025 session is anticipated to witness a wave of energy-related bills introduced as Maryland grapples with advancing its energy infrastructure while protecting its citizens’ rights.

The conflict over eminent domain and land rights in Maryland highlights the growing conflict between modernizing infrastructure and preserving local communities. How the state navigates these competing interests will profoundly impact its economic future and the rural way of life.