BALTIMORE — A federal judge has denied PSEG's request to have U.S. Marshals accompany their agents while conducting surveys for the proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project.
The judge determined marshals are not warranted at this time. A decision based on the the majority of respondents accused denying or attempting to deny access to their land promising to comply with court-orders and the limited resources of the U.S. Marshals Service.
"[T]he Court concludes that the circumstances—at least at present—do not warrant sending U.S. Marshals to accompany PSEG and its agents to those Respondents' properties," Judge Adam Abelson wrote in an order published on Sept. 2.
However, PSEG can make another request for U.S. Marshals' help in the future if the issues persist.
PSEG, the group working on behalf of the Piedmont Reliability Project, has encountered "threats of physical violence, obstruction and intimidation tactics," lawyers from the group wrote in federal court documents filed on August 15.
Back in June a federal judge in Maryland authorized PSEG to complete surveys against the will of property owners.
Respondent Brandon Hill may face fines or sanctions because of his failure to respond to the court about complying with orders and has been ordered to show cause by next Wednesday why he should not.
The judge has also ordered Mark Troyer, of Troyer Farms, LLC and Troyer Real Estate, to show cause why he shouldn't face sanctions after saying he will "do everything in my ability to keep them off our property" after stating he would comply with court orders.
The surveys in question are part of a controversial process that could lead to a 70 mile long — 150 foot wide transmission line being built in the middle of privately owned land throughout Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties.
Officials claim the power lines are required because Maryland imports 40 percent of its energy, meaning there isn't enough power currently generated to sustain the state's long-term needs.
The company admits many landowners have cooperated, some have not.
In one case, the company alleges in court documents that a resident called one of its Black security guards “monkey,” accusing him of “stealing our property, just like we stole your ancestors.”
This same resident is also accused of telling PSEG employees that he would "shoot the survey crew in the head if they did not leave."
