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Porter Mill Solar in Wicomico County Maryland

A Proposed Solar Project

in Wicomico County, Maryland

Porter Mill Solar is a proposed 45.8 MW solar project planned for Wicomico County in Hebron, Maryland.

BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF MARYLAND

IN THE MATTER OF PORTER MILL, LLC’S APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO CONSTRUCT A 45.80 MW SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATING FACILITY IN WICOMICO COUNTY, MARYLAND

CASE NO. 9710

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT HEARING

A public comment hearing in the above-entitled matter is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., via virtual platform, concerning Porter Mill, LLC’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Maryland Public Service Commission.

If you would like to speak at the hearing, please send an email to [email protected] by Monday, 12:00 Noon on October 30, 2023. Otherwise, anyone wishing to observe the live stream of the hearing may do so via the Public Utility Law Judge Division’s YouTube Channel, https://bit.ly/2X6wLiP. Any questions about the hearing should be directed to [email protected].

Written comments on the proposed Project may be submitted electronically through the Commission’s website at www.psc.state.md.us, or by first-class mail with the Commission’s Chief Clerk, Jamie Bergin, Maryland Public Service Commission, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, and must reference Case No. 9710. Pursuant to the Commission’s March 13, 2020 Notice of Waiver and Relaxed Filing Requirements, no paper copies need be submitted if the filing is public in nature and no more than 25 pages in length. The Commission encourages parties to use the Commission’s “e-file” system for filing. Instructions for e-filing are found under the “Tools” section of the Commission’s website under the “Make a Public Comment” tab, which can be accessed via the following link: https://www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment/.

We hope to hear from the citizens of Wicomico County about Porter Mill Solar. We are eager to answer your questions or have a conversation about any concerns you may have as you learn more about the project.

Benefits

What does this project mean for you and your community?

LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT

Over its lifetime, Porter Mill Solar will yield significant real property tax revenues to the county. That's 25-35 years of guaranteed revenue from a project that does not require costly infrastructure or public services or an increase in local traffic. Further, during construction, the project will employ hundreds of local workers with good-paying jobs, while boosting area businesses and service providers.

LOCALLY GENERATED CLEAN ENERGY

Home-grown solar is vital to reducing America's dependence on foreign oil and enables Maryland to meet its target of 50% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% clean electricity by 2040 with zero carbon emissions. The transition to clean energy is powered by strong communities whose landowners, local businesses, and citizens recognize their critical role in making it happen.

Land Restoration and protection

Porter Mill Solar has been designed to mitigate any impact to wetlands, cultural resources, or threatened and endangered species. In addition, all mature vegetation on the project site will remain and be placed in a Forest Conservation Easement. The project fencing is designed to accommodate the migration and movement of local wildlife. Vegetative buffer plantings will provide screening of the project for residents and along thoroughfares, and provide an opportunity to plant native trees, shrubs, grasses, and pollinator species.

Location

Wicomico County, Maryland in the town of Hebron.

PROJECT SIZE

45.8 MW

Timing

Construction could begin in 2024 with completion in 2025/2026.

PRESERVED LAND WITHIN PROJECT DESIGN

MILLIONS GENERATED IN LOCAL TAX REVENUE

MATURE VEGETATION WILL REMAIN, AND BE PLACED IN A FOREST CONSERVATION EASEMENT ALONG ROADS

ANNUALLY POWERS 8,000 HOMES WHILE OFFSETTING 54,000 METRIC TONS OF CO2

Project location

Porter Mill Solar is located in Wicomico County, Maryland. The project is situated along Route 50 in Hebron Maryland.

WICOMICO COUNTY, Maryland

Porter Mill will interconnect into an existing substation, specifically the Hebron 69 kV substation.

Community Commitment

We are proud to be a new member of the Greater Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and a long time-supporter and sponsor of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

About Us

Urban Grid is a utility scale renewable energy project developer, with over a decade of expertise in taking solar and energy storage projects through the full development process, from site acquisition through interconnection, permitting, offtake execution and project exit. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia–with teams located strategically throughout the United States, Urban Grid has provided utilities and corporate clients with reliable clean energy. We are actively developing a growing portfolio of approximately 13,000 megawatts of solar PV and 7,000 megawatts of co-located and stand-alone energy storage, throughout 12 states in support of America’s transition to clean, sustainable power.

Urban Grid is a Brookfield Renewable company. Brookfield Renewable operates one of the world’s largest publicly traded, pure-play renewable power platforms.