by Staff Writer
The Carroll County Board of Commissioners (BoC) has intensified its opposition to the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP), filing an amicus curiae brief this week with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
The brief supports local landowners in their ongoing legal battle with Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), urging the appellate court to overturn a lower court ruling that allowed the utility company unrestricted access to private properties for environmental testing.
The case stems from a recent district court decision that granted PSEG an injunction to enter private land without defined limits or landowner consent—something the BoC argues is a clear violation of property rights.
The Commissioners argue that PSEG does not possess eminent domain authority and that the court’s ruling unfairly permits the company to disrupt agricultural operations, infringe on conservation easements, and negatively impact property values in Carroll County.
“Carroll County is concerned as to the significant infringement of private property rights of Carroll County’s residents,” the brief states, citing the potential for long-term disruptions and loss of landowner control.
The BoC first denounced the court’s decision in a public statement released on June 20, 2025. Their latest legal move underscores continued support for local landowners and opposition to what they call an overreach by PSEG.
In its filing, the BoC asks the court to reverse the lower court’s decision, vacate the injunction, and return the matter for further legal proceedings.
