State to hear proposal for solar facility in Frederick County's Rocky Ridge area

The Maryland Public Service Commission will host a virtual public hearing this month for a proposal to construct a solar facility in the Rocky Ridge area near Thurmont.

Chaberton Energy, a company in Rockville, has proposed Chaberton Solar Wild Turkey, a five-megawatt solar facility, to be built at 12949 Old Frederick Road, southeast of Thurmont near Md. 550.

The facility would occupy 53 acres of the 112-acre property, according to a staff report on the project given to the county's Sustainable Monocacy Commission in January.

The Public Service Commission hearing will be streamed on May 22 at 7 p.m. on the commission's YouTube channel. People who want to speak at the hearing can email psc.pulj@gmail.com by noon on May 21 to receive a link to join the hearing.

In October 2023, Chaberton Energy applied for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the project through the Public Service Commission.

This certificate allows applicants to construct an energy-generating station or high-voltage transmission line in Maryland, according to a news release from the commission.

In January, Chaberton went before the Sustainable Monocacy Commission, asking for a statement confirming that the Wild Turkey project is consistent with the Monocacy Scenic River Management Plan.

The plan aims to maintain and improve the ecological health and productivity of the Monocacy River and its corridor.

The Sustainable Monocacy Commission ruled that the project is consistent with the plan with some recommendations.

People can submit written comments for the public hearing electronically at www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment or mail them to the commission's chief clerk, Jamie Bergin, at William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul St., 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Written comments should reference case number 9717.