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Questions & Answers

We are your cooperative, and we are committed to working in partnership with you to ensure this improvement project is done right. We will provide complete information about each step of this project — and work with you — before plans are finalized.

We have always operated in a transparent way, and we will be talking to our customers in community meetings to fully discuss the project. Scroll down to see some of the questions we’ve been getting, with our answers.  Additionally we have included other questions and answers we believe are important to share.  

Project Overview

Cost

Route

Public input

Environment

Electromagnetic Fields

Project Overview

Q: Why does SMECO need to upgrade the existing line?

A: Simply put, it’s time to improve our transmission system now so it remains reliable for our customers today and into the future. Southern Maryland’s population and electricity demand have grown exponentially over the past 30 years, more so than many other regions of the state and country. Increased demand is pushing the current system to its limit. 

Q: Southern Calvert County is still mainly rural, and I don’t see the kind of development the rest of the county has experienced. Is this really necessary?

A: Calvert County has been among the fastest growing counties in Maryland and the United States. More residents also means more businesses, schools, shopping centers, sports fields, and first responders. Over the next 10 years, energy use in Calvert County is expected to reach over one million megawatt (MW)-hours.

This new line will benefit our entire four-county service area, particularly in Calvert where we know the need exists. It’s time to improve our electric system now, so it remains reliable in the future.

Q: What exactly does a line upgrade mean?

A: Upgrading our line means we will simply replace existing poles and lines with newer equipment. This upgrade will increase the capacity of our existing line from 66 kilovolts (kV) to 230 kV, creating a continuous “loop” of electricity around our service area and more flexibility to move power around.  A loop allows us to feed electricity from either direction, so an outage in one spot doesn’t necessarily affect service to people further down the line.

Q: Why is SMECO announcing this project now?

A: We are your community utility. We wanted to announce this project now so we can gather feedback from everyone who will be affected. We are committed to working in partnership with you to ensure this improvement project is done right.

Q: Who approves this type of utility project?

A: Later this year, SMECO will file for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) with the Maryland Public Service Commission, the regulatory body that oversees electric utilities. 

Q: If approved, when will construction start? How long do you expect the project to take until it is completed?

A: We expect construction on the project to begin in late 2010 or early 2011, and it may take up to four years to complete.

Q: How is SMECO going to make sure my power stays on while you are replacing the old line? Won’t you have to take it out of service during construction?

A: SMECO will use the safest and most modern techniques during construction to make sure there is little to no impact to the area during construction. At no point will the existing line be taken out of service.

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Cost

Q: How much will this project cost?

A: We expect the total cost of this project to be just about $110 million. The total cost would be paid for by long-term loans and includes all estimated construction, permitting, right-of-way acquisition costs, and contingency fees. The cost of the project will be spread out into the future so there will be a minimal effect on rates.

Q: How is SMECO going to pay for this project?

A: The cost of the upgraded power line will be rolled into our annual construction budget and will be financed over many years.  It will add $20 million per year for five years to our $50 million annual construction budget.  The cost of this project will have a minimal effect on rates.

Q: Won’t this just make my electric bill even more expensive?

A: The cost of this improvement project will have a minimal effect on your current rates, and it will be spread out into the future.

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Route

Q: Is this another example of a utility company building a massive power line through a rural area so they can make a profit by selling electricity to other states?

A: No – this project is exclusively for the benefit of our community. Because SMECO is a cooperative, all of our profits go right back into our system.  All of our efforts are meant to improve service to our customers in Southern Maryland, no one else.  This project will provide continuous, reliable electric service to the people who live and work here in Southern Maryland.

Q: Why is SMECO building this line through existing communities? Why not just build this project across vacant farmland?

A: Because we are a community utility, we are committed to using the existing right-of-way to upgrade this line. This approach will create the least possible impact upon the area. Building a new line across vacant farmland would increase the cost of the project and the impact on natural areas.    

Q: Can SMECO build the line along the existing right-of-way or will you have to acquire new land?

A: This project will largely follow the same route as the existing power line and will use SMECO’s existing right-of-way wherever possible. Most county residents won’t even notice the new facilities being installed because we plan to use our existing right-of-way.

Q: How will SMECO acquire the land required for this new line?

A: If additional land is required along the route, SMECO will enter into negotiations with the landowners to reach a mutual agreement at fair market value.

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Public input

Q: Will SMECO hold any public forums on this project? How do you plan to notify people who live along the route?

A: We plan to hold several public forums on the project for the community. This project will benefit Calvert County and our entire four-county service area, and we are excited to discuss it with our neighbors.  We will provide complete information about each step of this project  — and work with you — before plans are finalized.  We will make every effort to communicate with people who live along the route and within the community.

Q: How will public comments be incorporated into the decision-making process?

A: Public comments about this project will be incorporated into our final application to the Maryland PSC in 2008.

Q: Has SMECO already spoken to the Calvert County Board of Commissioners about this project? How about our State Delegates and Senators?

A: SMECO has preliminarily met with county and state-level government representatives to discuss our proposal with regard to this and other projects.

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Environment

Q: Will SMECO conduct an environmental study on this project before it starts? Will SMECO make this report’s findings public?

A: An environmental study will be included in our CPCN application to the Maryland PSC, and we will make the report’s findings public.

Q: Don’t projects like this often lead to significant loss of habitat along the line route? Will SMECO replace habitat destroyed in the process?

A: This route was chosen because it has an existing line, and using this existing route will create the least possible impact upon the area. We have retained industry-leading environmental and engineering consultants to cover every base and incorporate best practices.  Working with them and local and state environmental groups, we will take every possible step to mitigate any environmental impact created by this project.

Q: Will the proposed line cross the Patuxent River at any point? If so, what kind of river crossing will be used? How will this affect the ecology of the river and Chesapeake Bay?

A: The line will cross the Patuxent River between Solomons Island and Town Creek. Details have not been settled, but SMECO is exploring several options, including burying the cable beneath the riverbed using existing technology. This river crossing will have little or no impact on the river, and we will seek community input on the final river crossing method.

Q: How loud will new pole construction be? Will I be able to hear it from my home? Will SMECO work at night or over the weekends?

A: SMECO crews will work during daylight hours during the work week, and noise will be minimal.

Q: After the new line is energized, will I be able to hear it from my home?

A: Under normal circumstances, there should be no noise created by the power line.

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Electromagnetic Fields

Q: I’ve read that power lines like this create electro-magnetic fields (EMF) and cause cancer. Is this true?

A: Safety is central to our business — we offer free EMF level checks to any customer who wants one.  This line will not increase EMF levels. In fact, homeowners are exposed to more EMF from their TV than they are by the power line on their street.  

Q: What will SMECO do if science proves a link between EMF and cancer in the future?

A: As a part of this community, SMECO will take whatever action is necessary to reduce EMF to an acceptable level if they are proven to have adverse health effects in the future.

Q: Will SMECO pay to study the EMF levels at my home?

A: SMECO provides this service free of charge to any interested customer. For more information, contact SMECO directly.

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What this Project Means to You

What this Project Means
For You

Learn more about how this project will affect you and your community.
Transmission Line Upgrade

Proposed Route Map

Proposed Route Map

View the proposed route the project will take. For further information about the route, attend one of our open house meetings.
Route Map

Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers

View frequently asked questions about the project and submit one of your own.
Q & A