SMECO Applies for Project Approval

HUGHESVILLE (Dec. 31, 2008) --- Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) submitted an application to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) on November 21, 2008. 

The CPCN is required before SMECO starts construction of its Southern Maryland Reliability Project to improve its transmission delivery system and ensure continued reliable power to residents in Southern Maryland.

To meet the growth in electricity demand, SMECO intends to increase the capacity of its existing 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line located in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties to 230 kV.  The upgrade will provide additional capacity and create a continuous “loop” of electricity around SMECO’s service area, creating greater operational flexibility to move power around and to isolate and minimize power outages. 

Over the past 30 years, SMECO’s customer base has tripled, while the amount of energy used is five times greater and expected to continue to grow.  “Our customer-members expect reliable power, and upgrading this transmission line will ensure that our customers’ needs are met,” said SMECO President and CEO Austin J. Slater, Jr.  “We expect to complete the Southern Maryland Reliability Project over the next five to six years,” he added, “This project will have a minimal effect on current rates or the environment if we are able to follow the same route as the current line and stay within existing rights-of-way.” 

The new power line will run south from Holland Cliff through Calvert County, cross the Patuxent River, enter St. Mary’s County, and end in Lexington Park.  Although SMECO will consider alternative routes, new rights-of-way are not necessary along the preferred route, with the exception of areas like the lower Patuxent River crossing.  The cost of the project will be rolled into SMECO’s annual construction budget and financed over many years. 

The co-op has spent considerable time meeting with state and local elected officials, business leaders, environmental organizations, and community groups in the area.  SMECO also held several public open houses to educate customer-members about the project, and the Co-op has worked with communities along the route to ensure the improvement project is done right.  As part of the CPCN approval process, the PSC will hold public hearings in April.

For more information about the Southern Maryland Reliability Project, customer-members can visit SMECO’s Web site at www.smeco.coop.