The Rural Utilities Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold an open house for review of proposals by the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative to switch transmission stations and lay new pipeline in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.
The open house will be Thursday, Sept. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the SMECO offices, 901 Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick. An Electric Alternatives Evaluation and Macro Corridor Study Report will be available for review.
SMECO proposes to construct a 230 kV transmission line between the existing Holland Cliff Switching Station in Calvert County to the existing Hewitt Road Switching Station in St. Mary’s County, Maryland.
The proposal comprises five segments:
1. The installation of approximately 20 miles of new 230 kV single pole, double-circuit transmission line from the Holland Cliff switching station to a new switching station located in Southern Calvert.
2. The installation of the new Southern Calvert 230/69 kV switching station.
3. The installation of approximately 10 miles of new 230 kV single pole, double-circuit transmission line from the new Southern Calvert switching station to the existing Hewitt Road switching station.
4. The installation of approximately 2 miles of 230 kV underground transmission cable circuit across the lower Patuxent River.
5. The expansion of the existing 230 kV ring bus at Hewitt Road switching station to accommodate the new 230 kV transmission line from Southern Calvert. Throughout the right-of-way, the existing 69 kV poles will be removed and the existing 69 kV conductors will be installed on the new 230 kV poles along with the new 230 kV conductors. This configuration will allow the use of the existing 69 kV transmission line right-of-way and preclude the need for additional right-of-way land acquisition.
The proposed location of the new switching station will be in southern Calvert County, possibly near Lusby, Maryland, along the existing 69 kV transmission line right-of-way. The site is anticipated to be approximately 25 acres to accommodate the switching station equipment and a buffer. Switching station sites will be further assessed in the Environmental Assessment.
The Patuxent River crossing will be approximately two miles, in the vicinity of the existing 69 kV underground transmission line, near the Thomas Johnson Bridge. Alternative crossing locations as well as construction alternatives were considered in order to improve maintenance capabilities, mitigate environmental impact, and reduce proposal costs. Alternatives include (1) installation of a submarine cable jetted into the bottom of the Patuxent River, and (2) attaching the 230 kV underground cable circuit to the existing bridge or a future bridge planned near the existing Thomas Johnson Bridge. Construction of the proposal is anticipated for completion in 2015.
Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed project. Representatives from USDA Rural Development and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative will be available at the scoping meeting to discuss the environmental review process, describe the proposal, answer questions, and receive comments. Comments regarding the proposed action may be submitted (orally or in writing) at the public scoping meeting or in writing by Oct. 11, at the USDA Rural Development address.
For more information, contact Stephanie A. Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA Rural Development, Utilities Programs, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop