MORGANTOWN — County commissioners in Preston and Hampshire counties said they were disappointed to see the route proposed for NextEra Energy Transmission’s MidAtlantic Resiliency Link transmission project run across their counties.
Disappointed, but not overly surprised.
On Friday, NextEra released the route it intends to present to the West Virginia Public Service Commission. Portions of Monongalia, Preston, Mineral and Hampshire counties are in the path of the approximately 107.5-mile corridor selected to construct 500-kilovolt overhead transmission lines between a Dunkard Township, Pa., substation and a connection point near Gore, Va.
“I will say that it does not come as a surprise, but I was very disappointed,” Preston County Commissioner Hunter Thomas said. “Given that they’re in the business of completing the most feasible project, putting that transmission line through Preston County would be the most feasible option. I’m still strongly opposed, but it doesn’t come as a surprise because that’s the shortest option compared to the alternative going through Pennsylvania.”
According to a NextEra spokesperson and the map presented by the company, the proposed route runs the width of northern Preston County – representing fewer than 16 miles of the overall project.
Hampshire County Commissioner Brian Brill had a similar response.
“Was I surprised? Not really. It seemed like their intent the entire time was to, one way or another, come through Hampshire County. So, I don’t think we were surprised when we saw that was the case. I think we expected at least part of our county was going to be within their intended route.”
Brill said the line will enter the eastern border of Hampshire County, near Springfield, and traverse the width of the county, exiting just east of Capon Bridge.
“As the crow flies, it’s probably about 25 miles. It essentially divides [the county] somewhat in two going across pretty much the entire county,” he said.
The Preston County Commission was the first to pass a resolution opposing the county’s inclusion in the project, claiming the line is simply using West Virginia land as a means to pull power from Pennsylvania primarily to benefit data centers in Virginia.
The commissions in Mineral, Hampshire and Monongalia counties followed suit at the request of community groups and land owners.
Thomas said he believes the Preston Commission will request intervenor status on NextEra’s filing with the WVPSC, giving the county standing to participate in the proceeding as an impacted party.
“We’re looking to take those steps now that we know that they have an official proposal to put the project through Preston County,” he said.
Brill said he could foresee the commission in Hampshire County exploring similar options.
As the line will convey more than 200-kilovolts, the company must receive a WVPSC certificate of public conveyance and necessity.
According to WV Code 24-2011a, the WVPSC may approve the application if it finds the transmission line will economically, adequately and reliably contribute to meeting the present and anticipated requirements for electric power, or is necessary and desirable for present and anticipated reliability of service for electric power; will be in the best interest of West Virginia customers and its citizens; and will result in an acceptable balance between reasonable power needs and reasonable environmental factors.
The WVPSC may impose conditions upon its approval or modify the applicant’s proposal in order to achieve an acceptable balance between power needs and environmental factors.
Thomas said he’s confident the WVPSC will carefully weigh the impacts and benefits the project will bring to West Virginia. He also believes a unified front from elected officials and citizens will carry weight in that decision.
“I think they’ll be receptive. I mean, you have every county in the path of this proposed project, and many of the municipalities. You have state senators and delegates and all these citizens opposed to this project. I would hope the PSC would be receptive to that and I look for them to be,” he said.
Either way, Brill added, there’s an obligation to represent the will of the people.
“It’s hard to say if it’ll carry any weight, but at the end of the day, you know, we as elected officials are tasked with representing our constituents. So, if the community is against something, we certainly have to listen,” he said. “There are times when we, probably no matter what we do, it may not matter. But I feel like you have to at least put forth the effort. You’ve got to do what you believe is right.”
Representatives of the Monongalia and Mineral county commissions did not respond in time for this report.
