Sugarloaf Alliance
Preservation * Smarter Growth * Transparency in Government
How to Intervene in the MPRP Power Line Case
Before the Maryland Public Service Commission
The following information is drawn from the Tri-County Coalition document posted below.
What is an Intervenor?
An intervenor is a person or entity who opposes or advocates for a particular project such as the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project during the Public Service Commmission's (PSC) Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience (CPCN) review and decision-making process. Being an intervenor makes you party to the case and grants you certain rights to challenge the decision.
Who Can Intervene?
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Individuals, organizations and businesses are eligible to intervene. Municipalities and counties also may intervene.
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If you would be directly or indirectly affected, and/or if it would affect your organization's business you are eligible to intervene.
Why Intervening Might Be Important For You
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If you are affected and do not intervene and the PSC issues the CPCN permit, you might forfeit the right to participate in any further proceedings.
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Intervenors preserve their right to judicial review.
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Intervenors can present evidence, provide testimony, question witnesses and receive all filings.
​Definition of “Passive Intervenor”
You can participate as a “passive intervenor,” meaning that you limit your involvement to the petition phase while still retaining your right to negotiate and challenge decisions later down the line. You submit a petition to intervene, but you don't have to provide testimony and you would not have to participate in cross examinations. The benefit of passive intervention is the ability to monitor the case by receiving documents related to the case. You would also retain the ability to participate in further proceedings.
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Note that our phrase "Passive Intervenor" is not a PSC term.
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See the PDF document below for sample Intervenor petitions.
Disclaimer: This informtion is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The information contained herein aims to provide a general understanding of the CPCN process and the role of intervenors. The Tri-County Coalition does not assume any responsibility for actions taken based on the content of this document. For tailored advice to your specific situation, the Coalition recommends consulting with an attorney familiar with the CPCN process.