Annapolis Update #13

Dear Community Members,

As we near the conclusion of this legislative session, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and engagement. I look forward to sharing a more detailed wrap-up in our End of Session letter in the coming days, where I’ll highlight key developments, accomplishments, and what they mean for our community.

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Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation Plan,

Case #9748:

Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation Public Hearing April 9, 2025 in Harford County

Case No. 9748–Baltimore Gas and Electric’s CPCN application for the Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation Project (transmission lines) in Harford, Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties.

PUBLIC Comment Hearing:

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 6:30 p.m. North Harford High School (Auditorium)

211 Pylesville Road Pylesville (Harford County)

The deadline to send in written comments: May 1, 2025. Public Hearings

Homepage - Maryland Public Service Commission

Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation Public Hearing April 23, 2025 in Baltimore County

Case No. 9748–Baltimore Gas and Electric’s CPCN application for the Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation Project (transmission lines) in Harford, Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties.

PUBLIC Comment Hearing:

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company

10331 Philadelphia Rd, White Marsh, MD 21162

The deadline to send in written comments: May 1, 2025. Public Hearings

Homepage - Maryland Public Service Commission

Attention: Essex, Middle River, Perry Hall, Kingsville, Fallston, Bel Air North, Dundalk, & Pylesville:

Many constituents have voiced concerns about the Public Service Commission Case #9748, BGE’s application for: A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY(CPCN) FOR THE BRANDON SHORES RETIREMENT MITIGATION PROJECT. (CASE # 9748)

Below, you’ll find the public hearing information regarding the proposed route. I filed a letter with the Public Service Commission on 04/03/25 to address the concerns of Kingsville Civic Center. In the letter, I addressed:

Safety concerns due to continued exposure and fire mitigation
Historic preservation and rural character
The amount of sacrifice this corridor has made regarding transforming workable farms into solar facilities.

If your community has additional concerns, please reach out to Rebecca at rpowell@senate.state.md.us and she will call you on Monday to hear your concerns and integrate them into our planned letter.

To file your own public comment regarding case # 9748, please click HERE.

Reliability Must Run: Concerns

Energy rates are expected to continue rising in the coming months due to a Reliability Must Run agreement between PJM, Talen Energy (owner of Brandon Shores), and the Sierra Club—an agreement recently approved by Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC). Under this plan, the Brandon Shores plant must remain operational and ready to run at all times, though it will only be activated when the electric grid is under extreme stress.

Republican Senators, myself included, have consistently recommended that Brandon Shores remain open and operational by implementing emissions-reducing measures, such as scrubber technology. Unfortunately, legislation promoted by many of my colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle continues to oppose the use of fossil fuels as a viable part of Maryland’s energy mix.

On April 2, the letter I wrote below was received by the Secretary of the Public Service Commission and put on record at the Commission. Something o be mindful of is that the Public Service Commission is appointed by the Governor. By July, all members of the Commission will be Democratic appointees, with no remaining appointees from the Hogan administration. The next member is expected to be sworn in shortly, and another appointment will follow this summer. Two out of three members will have their tenure up for renewal at 2028, the third will be up for renewal in 2029. The two new appointees will be up for renewal in 2030. Given this critical moment, I strongly urge Marylanders to make their voices heard. Contact Governor Moore and advocate for the appointment of a commissioner who will prioritize the interests of ratepayers—someone who understands the importance of energy reliability and affordability for Maryland families.

IN THE DISTRICT:

Legislative District 7: Baltimore & Harford Counties

BALTIMORE COUNTY:

Rest in Peace Lt. Vargas, your bravery will be remembered.

HARFORD COUNTY:

County Council | Harford County, MD

This coming week, there is a public hearing on April 8 as well as a Legislative Session. On April 15, Harford County Council will conduct a Public Hearing.

Please check back in mid-week for my End of Session Letter. As always, your feedback drives the work of my office. Session ends in just a week, so be mindful that my staff will decrease, but we will continue to do our best to support the constituents of Legislative District 7.

Sincerely,

Senator J.B. Jennings

323 James Senate Office Building

11 Bladen Street

Annapolis, MD 21401

jb.jennings@senate.state.md.us

(410) 841-3706

By Authority: Friends of J.B. Jennings, Lauren Fowler, Treasurer