Describing the project as a "proposed transmission superhighway," the nation's largest electric power generating company has unveiled a plan to construct a new 550-mile-long set of the largest above-ground high-tension transmission lines currently used in the industry from southwestern West Virginia to central New Jersey. The proposal could include a section traversing Garrett County from west to east.

CUMBERLAND - Considerable potential for positive economic impact from wind electric generation exists in the region as evidenced in the neighboring state of Pennsylvania.

In an ambitious $3 billion plan, the nation's largest power generator has proposed building a 550-mile power line stretched atop 13-story towers to bring surplus electricity from coal-fired plants in Appalachia and the Midwest to the power-hungry eastern seaboard.

MCHENRY - Although the mountain tops of Western Maryland are currently “turbineless,” plans for several wind farm projects are in various stages of development.U.S. Windforce, a Pennsylvania-based company, has a number of projects in the works.

Conventional political wisdom is that the state legislative session preceding an election is a lame duck. Politicians shy away from legislation that might raise eyebrows except for a few measures that will make a political statement but have little hope of passing. Not much gets done.

Sen. Rob Garagiola, D-Montgomery, and a coalition of environmental advocates yesterday rolled out an ambitious legislative package to address energy conservation issues and increase the use of renewable energy in Maryland.

Last week the Maryland Department of Natural Resources recommended that Synergics Energy Services be allowed to construct its proposed Roth Rock wind turbine facility along the ridgeline of Backbone Mountain. The agency made its recommendation to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), which has the final authority to grant or deny permission for the 40 megawatt project, consisting of between 15 and 20 turbines, to proceed. The PSC's final decision is expected by the end of the year.

Eyesores or clean machines? Environmentalists are split over the giant energy-producing towers popping up in Maryland and other states.