State Regulators Hear From Public On Proposed Transmission Line

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia is conducting four public comment hearings concerning a high-voltage transmission line from Pennsylvania through West Virginia to Virginia.  

More than 200 people attended the hearing at the Monongalia County Center to voice their opposition to the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link (MARL). More than 40 speakers like Judith De La Garza expressed concern that the project will bring environmental and economic harm to the state while providing little to nothing to show for it.  

“MARL is poised to take from West Virginia rate payers and landowners their hard-earned money and some of West Virginia’s most precious assets, their land and peaceful living, without any long-term benefits in return,” she said.  

Developer NextEra Energy has said it plans on running as much of the 107.5-mile-long line along rights of way for existing transmission lines that would cross Monongalia, Preston, Mineral and Hampshire counties.     

But community members were joined by elected officials in voicing their concern that local ratepayers will pay the financial and environmental cost for the project.  

Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, spoke on behalf of House Democrats to urge the commission to deny the application.  

“I’ve heard repeated concerns from West Virginians who live and who own property along the path of the line, which would directly threaten numerous homes, residences, farms, potentially even with eminent domain,” he said. “I’m also concerned about impacts to nearby communities and forests and waters. I just simply don’t see any meaningful benefits that this project will bring to West Virginians and to the state economy. Instead, I see the prospects of increased electric rates and impacts the private property.” 

Several more state legislators were in attendance, with five speaking in person and another – Del. Gino Chiarelli, R-Monongalia – sending a comment to be read by a representative.  

Two speakers, both union linemen, spoke in favor of the project on the basis of its promise to bring 200 jobs and $37 million in payroll to the region.  

“This work will help our members’ retirements and keep their health insurance for their families,” said Kyle Kull, an organizer for the West Virginia and Appalachian Laborer’s District Council. “It will also provide opportunities for new construction workers to enter the workforce through our apprenticeship program. Beyond the construction site, 135 million in total spending over the two-year construction phase is expected to support the additional 264 jobs across the state, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, and gas stations, other small businesses. We need new construction and projects like this to keep our members working.” 

The final public hearing was scheduled for Kingwood Thursday evening. 

NextEra has had a presence at all the hearings so far and planned to attend the Kingwood meeting according to Kaitlin McCormick, senior director of project execution at NextEra. 

“We really appreciate everybody’s taking the time to come out and share their opinions and make their voice heard,” she said. “This is their opportunity to do that in the process. We’ve been really committed to community engagement and outreach through our eight open houses that we had earlier, and we appreciate that there’s people taking the time to share their opinions here.” 

The commission set regulatory hearing dates for late October and early November, with a decision due date of March 6, 2027.