The developer of a 107.5-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line today announced a preferred route that goes through parts of several West Virginia counties.
The proposed route for the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link goes through parts of Monongalia, Preston, Mineral and Hampshire counties.
The project is being developed by NextEra Energy Transmission after being selected by PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator.
PJM identified reliability issues resulting from a loss of power generation sources, support for new power sources and additional electricity demand in the region. In response, NextEra Energy Transmission subsidiaries submitted this project as a proposed solution to help address the reliability concerns.
The project would cross parts of four states — Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia — so the developer will be going through oversight by the public service commissions in each of those districts.
The proposed route and several alternative options next will be submitted to each state’s respective public service commission.
The respective public service commissions will evaluate the proposed options, provide an opportunity for the community to share comments and then, potentially, make final decisions on the route one to two years after submittal.
Start of construction is anticipated in fall of 2029 and the conclusion and in-service is expected to be fall of 2030 into winter of 2031.
What went into selecting the route
The developers of the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link say the decision on the preferred route reflects more than 1,200 public comments received from eight open houses and two public online surveys.
And the developers say the preferred route was produced after meetings with more than 300 landowners, elected officials and local business, economic development and community organizations.
“We’ve been listening to feedback from landowners, stakeholders, elected officials, local businesses and community organizations,” said Kaitlin McCormick, a senior director on the development team for NextEra Energy Transmission.
“And through that process we identified ways to minimize impacts on landowners, the environment and local communities. We’re going to continue to engage and remain committed to working constructively with all those stakeholders.”
The proposed transmission line will run from a substation in Dunkard Township, Pa., just over the border from West Virginia to a connection point near Gore, Va.
Wherever possible, the developers said, the proposed route parallels existing rights-of-way and avoids existing and planned residences and businesses.
They described efforts to protect sensitive natural areas with adjustments to limit impact to watersheds, stream habitats, scenic viewsheds and ecotourism centers.
McCormick described goals of providing increased access to lower cost generation resources, strengthening the regional electric grid and enhancing reliability for homes and businesses, supporting economic growth across the region.
The developers described open access capabilities, enabling local regions to interconnect additional power generation and economic opportunities to the infrastructure.
“There’s going to be electric benefits throughout the region,” McCormick said. “This line is bi-directional, and it’s going to serve the reliability — and that means keeping the lights on — for homes, businesses, hospitals throughout the region, and it’s going to also serve customers in West Virginia.”
Monongalia Commission opposition
The transmission project already has an open case with the West Virginia Public Service Commission, where the record shows it has already generated 875 comments in opposition and 0 in support.
Members of the Monongalia County Commission sent letters of opposition last week to the Public Service Commission and to Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
The letters submitted by Commission President Jeffrey Arnett, suggest the transmission line project would cause significant and lasting harm on the community without providing meaningful local benefit.
The commissioners contend the project would use Monongalia County as a transmission corridor mostly to serve interests outside the state, particularly data centers in Northern Virginia.
The letters emphasize that West Virginia is already a leader in energy production and contend Monongalia County has already made substantial contributions by being home to two coal-fired power plants and having an approved natural gas plant.
The commissioners contend that choosing a pathway across West Virginia would harm family-owned lands, farms, forests and environmentally sensitive areas. And the commissioners say the project poses clear risks to property values, agricultural operations, tourism and the scenic character of the county.
“Our Commission values the rights of property owners and is committed to protecting the livelihoods, heritage, and natural beauty of Monongalia County,” the county commissioners wrote to the PSC.
“We respectfully urge the Public Service Commission of West Virginia to reject this project when it comes before you for consideration.”