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 FAQS
Who is Pepco
Holdings Inc (PHI)?
Pepco Holdings,
Inc. (PHI), through its subsidiaries Pepco, Delmarva Power and Atlantic City Electric,
delivers electricity and natural gas to about 1.9 million customers in Delaware,
the District of Columbia, Maryland and New Jersey.
Power Demand and Transmission
Capacity
Why build a
new transmission line?
Since Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, we have built a
complex system to bring electricity into our homes and businesses. While the transmission
grid has expanded significantly, changes in how we distribute electricity have not
kept pace with the rapid changes to how we use energy. It has been more than two
decades since the last major new interstate transmission line was built in the Mid-Atlantic
region. Yet, today’s average home uses 21 percent more power than one in the mid-1970’s.
That means power lines are getting more and more congested, similar to a traffic
jam during rush hour.
Regional planners expect demand for power during peak usage times in Pepco Holdings,
Inc.’s (PHI) service territory – which includes parts of Maryland, Washington, D.C.,
Delaware and southern New Jersey – to increase even more. Estimates show nearly
a 20 percent increase in electricity usage over the next 10 years. Experts say we
could face a regional energy crisis as soon as 2012. This expected demand is significantly
greater than the increases in power we will be able to supply if we do not build
new transmission facilities to serve the entire Mid-Atlantic region.
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Why
build a new transmission line now?
The U.S. Department of Energy has identified the region from
Northern Virginia to New York as one of the most congested electricity transmission
areas in the country. When congestion occurs, power providers rely on higher-cost
sources of power to meet peak needs. This translates into higher prices for consumers
and a less efficient power system for everybody.
For more details on congestion.
The Maryland Public Service Commission issued a report in January 2007. In it, they
state: “If new generating capacity is not built, and/or upgrades to the transmission
system are not made, the likelihood of a reliability crisis in Maryland, and eastern
PJM generally, will increase, and may become unavoidable.”
Upgrades are urgently needed to address the forecasted peak demands for our area.
MAPP needs to start now so that we can carefully design and build the project to
protect sensitive areas; get significant input from affected communities along the
proposed route; and finish it by the target completion date.
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Why
not build more power plants and conserve more energy?
Power demand in PHI’s service territory could
exceed the ability to reliably deliver electricity within five years. Part of the
solution to this regional transmission crisis is energy conservation and additional
power generation from environmentally-responsible sources. But, we also need an
improved transmission infrastructure to deliver more electricity to consumers.
See where demand is affecting electricity
distribution the most.
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Why isn't conservation
enough?
Energy
conservation is a critical part of meeting the region’s growing electricity demand.
However, studies have shown that it will not be enough. We must complement
conservation with an improved infrastructure and better access to existing and future
power plants. Experts like the Maryland Public Service Commission, who is very supportive
of conservation measures, have said that new transmission lines are necessary to
avoid serious power issues in the future.
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I’m
not a PHI customer, so why are you proposing to build a new power line through my
area?
MAPP is part of the regional transmission upgrades being promoted
by PJM, the organization responsible for transmitting power throughout the Mid-Atlantic
region. MAPP will benefit customers all along its route, including those served
by co-ops and municipal owned electric companies, by providing increased access
to lower cost energy sources and reducing power congestion.
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What is PJM?
PJM Interconnection, the largest electricity grid operator in the United States,
is responsible for the reliability of the high voltage electric system for 13 states
and the District of Columbia, including all of PHI’s service territory.
PJM coordinates the movement of electricity throughout the region. It also operates
the largest competitive wholesale electricity market and plans generation and transmission
expansion to ensure reliability.
MAPP complements the projects already approved by PJM and provides a robust transmission
infrastructure that will increase our ability to import power to the Mid-Atlantic
region.
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Construction and Placement
Where will
the transmission line be placed?
MAPP will originate in Northern Virginia,
cross southern Maryland, then travel up the Delmarva Peninsula and into southern
New Jersey. For a detailed map of the proposed transmission line and its construction
schedule, click here.
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How tall
are the poles for the proposed construction of the line?
The design of the project is in its early stages, so actual pole heights have
not been determined. The final design of the poles will depend on various
design, operating and right of way considerations along with the input from the
various landowners, environmental groups and permitting and regulatory agencies.
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How
long is MAPP?
MAPP will be 230 miles in length.
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How
long will it take to build?
The current projection is that the MAPP line will be completed
in sections over a 6-year time frame with completion by 2013.The line would be built
in segments, so MAPP could begin to improve transmission two years after the start
of construction.
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Will
I be affected by the construction?
Eighty percent of this line will be built on, or adjacent to,
existing rights of way, either on existing or new structures. In southern Maryland,
52 miles of the line will be installed on existing towers. PHI will work closely
with landowners, residents, environmental groups, and local, state and Federal officials
and regulators in each step of the project and utilize compact construction techniques
to minimize disruption to local residents.
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Cost and Benefits
What are MAPP’s
benefits?
MAPP will produce many benefits for PHI’s service
territories and neighboring utilities including all co-ops and municipal owned electric
companies, who all rely on this transmission system to keep the lights on for their
customers. MAPP will strengthen the reliability of the Mid-Atlantic region’s electricity
grid by complementing other ongoing transmission upgrades. It also would increase
the region’s power import capabilities.
MAPP will provide the region with greater access to affordable electricity generation
sources and provide a pathway for electricity from clean, nuclear and wind generation
to move from south to north.
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How much will it cost?
MAPP is projected to cost $1 billion and would be built
in stages over several years. PHI is proposing to add significant 230-kV support
lines on the Delmarva Peninsula and in southern New Jersey to connect with the new
500-kV line. (The 230-kV lines are being evaluated by PJM, operator of the region’s
transmission system). If the 230-kV lines are approved, it would bring the total
cost of MAPP to $1.2 billion.
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Who
will pay for this project?
The MAPP project was approved by the PJM Interconnection, the organization that
coordinates the movement of electricity through all or parts of 13 eastern states
and the District of Columbia. When PJM approves a new transmission line, customers
throughout its territory share the cost. The MAPP line will benefit this region
and will be paid for by the more than 50 million customers who reside in PJM’s territory.
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How
will this affect my rates?
Due to rising fuel costs and many other factors that affect
the final price of electricity, it is impossible to make an absolute prediction
about future power costs. However, part of the ongoing increase in your power bill
is the high cost of transmission congestion, which this line will help resolve.
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Environmental Impact
What is your environmental approach? How
do you plan to mitigate environmental and community disruption?
We are committed to working with interested parties and government agencies
in order to assess and address MAPP’s affect on the environment. Our priority is
to protect the natural and cultural resources along the proposed route. To do this,
all appropriate approvals and permits will be acquired in order to construct the
project. Multiple techniques such as route selection analysis, design modification,
compact construction methods, and operation and maintenance practices will be used
to minimize project effects.
For example, existing public sector information will be supplemented with site specific
field studies to identify sensitive sites. This information will allow PHI to avoid
or minimize impacts to the maximum extent practicable by adjusting the route or
through modifications to the project design.
Once route and design modifications are completed, various construction techniques
will be employed to further reduce potential project impacts. Examples of such construction
techniques include the use of temporary mats to traverse wetlands, fencing off threatened
or endangered plants, and employing time of year restrictions to reduce the level
of work during sensitive time periods such as spawning or breeding periods.
PHI has extensive experience with the planning, design, construction, operation
and maintenance of power lines in sensitive environments. The experience that PHI
has gained through the conduct of such projects will continue to be employed and
refined for the MAPP project.
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How
will MAPP affect the Chesapeake Bay?
We are working closely with a telecommunications provider to
create a utility corridor under the sea bed of the Bay. By working together with
other utilities, we would minimize our impact on the Bay.
We also are exploring the latest technologies to place this line under the Bay,
and numerous environmental studies will be completed to make sure that natural resources
are protected during this project.
A similar project will soon begin on Long Island Sound. To find out more about that
project visit
http://www.transmission-nu.com/residential/projects/lir/default.asp.
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How
will MAPP cross the Potomac, Patuxent and Delaware Rivers?
Crossings at these rivers each will use the most appropriate
technology available in close coordination with the general public, environmental
organizations, and local, state and Federal environmental agencies. Studies are
still underway to determine the best solutions.
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What
do the world’s scientists say about EMF and power lines?
Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) surround any object that is generating,
transmitting, or using electricity, including electrical wiring, household appliances,
office equipment, industrial machinery, batteries, and any other electrical devices.
Research on whether EMF causes health effects has been conducted for more than 35
years. The United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO) published its review
of EMF research in June 2007. Considering all of the research together, the reviewers
for the WHO did not conclude that magnetic fields cause any long-term, adverse health
effects. PHI follows EMF scientific research developments and evaluates appropriate
precautionary measures to reduce EMF around its transmission facilities where they
can be employed at low cost and are appropriate and technically feasible.
For additional information about EMF click
here
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Community Concerns
What kinds of energy will the line deliver?
Will this line encourage the use of dirty energy sources such as coal?
MAPP will be used to transport electricity from many
different power generation sources – this includes existing fossil fuel plants and
future renewable energy projects such wind and solar. As we seek to transition to
more renewable power generation, a strong transmission system will continue to be
important.
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I heard
that this project is being built to transport electricity across our area to benefit
customers in other regions, is this true?
The MAPP project will provide immediate benefits to local areas as each segment
is completed. It is interconnected with numerous local transmission systems and
will help alleviate congestion all along its route and save local customers money
in the process. The PJM Interconnection analysis used as the basis for recommending
the construction of the MAPP project showed that there are reliability benefits
to all PHI service territories. There also are economic benefits in the form of
availability of less expensive power for all PHI service territories.
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Now
that the U.S. Department of Energy has designated the Mid-Atlantic region as a “critical
congestion area,” can’t you just take my land regardless of whether the state wants
this line or not?
The main purpose of the Department of Energy designation is to highlight
the areas where it is critical that we upgrade infrastructure to address congestion
issues. PHI has been operating in this area since the 1920s and we have a well-established
record of working with states and landowners to figure out solutions that work for
everyone.
We will listen carefully to input from state and local leaders as well as landowners
along the route to try and meet the needs of people who will be affected by the
line. It is important to remember that more than 80 percent of this line will be
constructed on, or adjacent to, existing rights of way.
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