MPSC to hold public comment session for solar generating facility construction

The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold a virtual public comment hearing on the plan by Point Reyes Energy Partners, LLC to build a 19.84 MW solar generating facility in Allegany County.

The hearing, to be conducted by Chief Public Utility Law Judge Ryan C. McLean, is scheduled for Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.

The project, known as Jade Meadow Solar, is slated to be constructed in Frostburg on 113 acres of property owned by the Allegany Coal and Land Company, and which had previously been used for a surface coal mine. The project also includes an optional 6.4 MW energy storage component.

Members of the public who wish to speak at the hearing should register by sending an email to [email protected] by noon on Aug. 10. The virtual hearing will be held through WebEx and participants will receive an email with the link to the virtual hearing. The hearing will be simultaneously livestreamed on the Public Utility Law Judge’s YouTube channel: bit.ly/2X6wLiP

Written comments will also be accepted until Dec. 15 by using the Commission’s online public comments portal, instructions for which can be found at: https://www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment/ Comments should reference Case. No 9643.

Written comments referencing Case No. 9643 may also be sent by mail to: Andrew S. Johnston, Executive Secretary, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 16th Floor, 6 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21202

The application is available for public inspection or copying at the Allegany County Department of Planning and Growth, 701 Kelly Road, Cumberland, MD 21502.

The MPSC regulates electric and gas utilities and suppliers, telephone companies (land lines), certain water and sewer companies, passenger motor vehicle carriers for hire (sedans, limousines, buses, Uber, Lyft), taxicab companies (in Baltimore city and County, Charles County, Cumberland and Hagerstown) and bay pilot rates.