Open Houses Announced For Transmission Line Project

Developers for a transmission line project in central West Virginia have announced open houses to help inform the public.  

The Valley North Project, first proposed by regional energy grid manager PJM, includes approximately 260 miles of new high-voltage transmission line between Putnam County and Frederick County, Md. along with a new substation in Hardy County. 

The developer Valley Link will hold nine meetings in West Virginia next month, as well as three other meetings in Maryland and Virginia, so community members can learn more about the project, review potential routes and share feedback with the project team. Valley Link is a joint venture of American Electric Power, Dominion Energy and FirstEnergy Transmission.   

All open houses will follow a drop-in format with no formal presentation, and attendees may stop by at any time during the scheduled hours of 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

• Nov. 4 – Misty Mountain Event Barn, 430 Mountain Road, Fisher, W.Va.  4 to 7 p.m.  

•  Nov. 4 – Tucker County High School, 116 Mountain Lion Way, Hambleton, W.Va.  5 to 8 p.m.  

• Nov. 5 – Frederick County Middle School, 4661 N. Frederick Pike, Winchester, Va.  5 to 8 p.m.  

• Nov. 5 – Sissonville Middle School, 100 Middle School Lane, Charleston, W.Va.  5 to 8 p.m.  

• Nov. 12 – Lovettsville Game Protective Association, 16 S. Berlin Pike, Lovettsville, Va.  4 to 7 p.m.  

• Nov. 12 – The Event Center at Brushy Fork, 929 Brushy Fork Road, Buckhannon, W.Va. 4 to 7 p.m.  

• Nov. 17 – Spencer Armory Facility, 206 E. Main St., Spencer, W.Va.  4 to 7 p.m.  

• Nov. 17 – Old Capon Bridge Middle School, 195 Capon School St., Capon Bridge, W.Va.  4 to 7 p.m.  

• Nov. 18 – Stonewall Resort – Roanoke Event Center, 940 Resort Drive, Roanoke, W.Va.  4 to 7 p.m.  

• Nov. 18 – Ranson Civic Center, 432 W. Second Ave., Ranson, W.Va.  4 to 7 p.m.  

• Nov. 19 – Gilmer County Recreation Center, 1365 Sycamore Run, Glenville, W.Va. 4 to 7 p.m.  

• Nov. 19 – Brunswick Fire Hall, 1500 Volunteer Drive, Brunswick, Md. 4 to 7 p.m. 

Residents can access the same information shared at the open houses by visiting vltransmission.com/valley-north, where they can view project information, review maps as they become available and submit feedback. Community members may also contact the project team by:  

• Website: www.vltransmission.com/valley-north 

• Email: vlnorth@vltransmission.com 

• Phone: (304) 207-0120 

Open houses were previously held in June and July, feedback from which Developer Valley North said was used to refine broader study segments into potential routes. During this phase of outreach, Valley Link said in a press release it is focused on gathering additional feedback from landowners and communities within the potential route areas before route recommendations are finalized. 

The project has already garnered opposition in West Virginia, and grassroots organizations like “Say No To Valley Link” have been endorsed by celebrities such as Ken Burns.