ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland has partnered with eight other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to solicit proposals for electric transmission projects aimed at improving grid reliability, fostering economic growth, and reducing electricity costs for consumers.
Gov. Wes Moore announced this month that the state is participating in an “open sector” request for information, a key step in the Northeast States Collaborative’s strategic plan to enhance energy system reliability and affordability.
“Marylanders deserve energy that is resilient, abundant, accessible, and affordable,” Moore said in a statement. “In collaboration with our neighbors, this is an important step forward in our mission to combat rising costs and make energy more affordable and sustainable for Marylanders.”
This request for information follows a joint strategic action plan announced in May, which seeks to identify specific steps for state, regional, and federal policymakers to pursue interregional transmission solutions. The initiative marks a first-of-its-kind coordinated effort to address transmission planning gaps and promote solutions that offer significant benefits to both the grid and consumers.
The current request aims to identify potential interregional transmission opportunities, dubbed “candidate projects,” that can improve grid reliability, support economic growth, and lower costs for consumers. Any interested entity, including industry representatives, ratepayer advocates, utilities, or independent transmission developers, is invited to submit proposals.
“Interregional transmission enables neighboring parts of the country to share resources more efficiently, lowering costs for consumers and making sure the grid can stand up to any challenges,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky. “This request for information seeks to bring cooperation between regions to the current level of cooperation within regions.”
Candidate projects should demonstrate opportunities for interregional planning between at least two of the three control areas operated by Northeastern transmission system operators: ISO New England, New York ISO, and PJM Interconnection. The request is open to all sectors, with responses due by Oct. 23, 2025.
The Northeast States Collaborative includes Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The group formed after a 2023 request to the U.S. Department of Energy to explore how grid operators PJM Interconnection, ISO New England, and New York ISO can improve electricity flow between regions, increase reliability, and enhance affordability.
More information about the request for information can be found online here.
Photo via Pixabay
