A 107.5-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line with a preferred route going through several West Virginia counties has generated lots of comment from the public.
The transmission project already has an open case with the West Virginia Public Service Commission, where the record shows it has already generated 877 comments in opposition and 0 in support.
“This does not benefit our county or state,” wrote a Hampshire County resident.
Another Hampshire County resident wrote, “This does NOT benefit WV in any way. It will only destroy lifestyles, farms, livestock, our beautiful views that this state is known for.”
“How does this benefit the citizens of West Virginia??” wrote a Monongalia County resident.
This is all in response to the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link 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 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.
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.
Developers of the transmission line are aware they have work to do with the public.
They say the preferred route reflects more than 1,200 public comments received from eight open houses and two public online surveys — plus meetings with more than 300 landowners, elected officials and local business, economic development and community organizations.
“This is going to be an investment in West Virginia and in the region, and it’s going to provide increased access to lower cost generation sources throughout the region,” Kaitlin McCormick, a senior director on the development team for NextEra Energy Transmission, said on MetroNews Talkline.
“It’s going to strengthen the regional electric grid, and that’s going to benefit everyone. And it’s going to enhance reliability for homes and businesses and support economic growth throughout the region, including here in West Virginia.”
The MidAtlantic Resiliency Link preferred route would go through parts of Monongalia, Preston, Mineral and Hampshire counties.
“I remain convinced that NextEra’s preferred route for above-ground MARL transmission lines through West Virginia is unacceptable,” wrote Rick Hillenbrand, a Republican state delegate who represents Hampshire County residents.
“While the electricity generated will primarily flow to Virginia, West Virginians would be left with the bill, the scars on our landscape, and diminished property values. That is not a fair trade.”
A retired woman living in Hampshire County wrote of her worries that the project will affect the pastoral setting she cherishes.
“When I used my lifesavings to create a home to retire to in WV, I thought my life would be spent among wilderness (Wild, Wonderful West Virginia, right?) and quietly providing a bit of a sanctuary for the many songbird species, hummingbirds, turtles, owls, foxes, turkeys, herons and other creatures that live here,” she wrote.
“I walk my property every day, and, after many years of saving and working, I am at home here. I am leaving the forest intact to keep much needed canopy for the health of the ecosystem. However, the MARL project, planned to power NoVA data centers from WV power plants will rip my property nearly in half, severing the forest and severely diminishing its value.”
Similarly, a Mineral County resident wrote, “I am a lifelong West Virginian and I’ve spent the last 45 years in this community working to purchase and maintain the land that MARL is trying to steal.
“I spent my working years dreaming of retirement and looking out over our beautiful God given view on our ” Big Land”(as our daughter named it nearly 40 years ago) and now this powerline is stripping that very dream from my husband and my family. ”
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.
“We’ve been listening to feedback from landowners, stakeholders, elected officials, local businesses and community organizations,” said McCormick, speaking for the development company.
“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.”