Baltimore Court Hears Land Access Dispute Over 70-Mile Piedmont Power Line

Development projects across the United States and India are facing significant opposition from local residents concerned about environmental, health, and livelihood impacts. In Arundel, Maine, residents have expressed fears about dust, noise, and groundwater contamination from a new quarry, despite the planning board approving Gorham Sand and Gravel's proposal under existing ordinances and state and federal standards. In Tamil Nadu, India, villagers oppose land acquisition for the Dharmapuri-Morappur railway line, warning that the project will disrupt transportation routes, threaten farmland and homes, and jeopardize the agricultural sector that sustains many families. Meanwhile, in Maryland, PSEG's proposed 67-70 mile Piedmont Reliability Project transmission line has led to legal battles over eminent domain and land access, with over 100 landowners resisting surveys on their properties before the project receives regulatory approval. Landowners argue that unauthorized entry constitutes an unlawful taking of property, while PSEG maintains its legal right to conduct surveys under a designated entity agreement and state law. The dispute highlights tensions between infrastructure development needs to prevent power outages and property owners' rights and environmental concerns.