Maryland is proposing a bill to shield farmland from eminent domain actions meant to install power lines for AI data centers.
At a Glance
- Maryland lawmakers are introducing a bill to protect farms from the threat of eminent domain.
- The legislation focuses on the necessity for new transmission lines for AI data centers and other infrastructure.
- Thousands of miles of new transmission lines are required nationwide.
- The bill targets developer Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) specifically.
- The project aims to support new AI data centers with increased power imports.
Maryland Bill to Protect Farmlands
Maryland lawmakers plan to introduce new legislation to protect farms from the threat of eminent domain that facilitates the installation of power lines required for AI data centers. This move is a response to the increasing pressure to balance technological progress with the preservation of farmland, ensuring that farming communities are not unfairly displaced by infrastructure projects.
Documents show that the Protect Maryland Farm Act will address the need for new transmission lines essential for AI data centers, onshoring manufacturing, and supporting the broader electrification of the economy. New and upgraded transmission lines are a crucial component, but the bill aims to ensure that farmland is protected against unnecessary seizure.
Maryland Bill Aims To Protect Farms From Eminent Domain Threat For New AI Data Center Power Lines https://t.co/GKZ7ZYT0qA
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Protecting Property Rights
The legislation would specifically address concerns related to the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project. This project involves constructing 70 miles of high-voltage power lines through Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties, intended to increase power load capacity by importing power to support new AI data centers in Frederick.
The bill is designed to provide fair compensation to small farms, offering a 350% premium on the highest land appraisal if their property is appropriated. Del. Nino Mangione prepares to present this legislation retroactively to cover projects proposed in 2024, aligning efforts by Del. Michele Guyton and Delegate Christopher Tomlinson who also oppose the use of eminent domain for the specific project.
A Complex Balancing Act
Local lawmakers are facing growing opposition from Maryland’s residents who challenge what they perceive to be failed and intrusive ‘green’ energy policies. The bill is both a reaction to local pushback and a forward-looking piece of legislation aiming to mitigate the imminent domain risks associated with increased power infrastructure demands.
While this measure seeks to afford protection to farmland, critics argue that Maryland is heading towards an energy crisis due to what they call apocalyptic environmentalism, pushing the state into higher power bills and systemic instability. Experts argue that while increased power capacity is necessary for grid stability, the timelines to bring new capacity online may result in sustained higher energy costs.
Future Prospects
This proposed bill is expected to be a focal point in the 2025 General Assembly. Maryland’s farmers receive broad state legal protections through right-to-farm statutes. These laws protect against lawsuits claiming farming operations are a nuisance, provided that standard agricultural practices are followed.
Balancing these interests between technological advancement and agricultural preservation will likely continue to be a highly debated topic, especially as the demand for new infrastructure to support growing technological needs escalates.
