MORGANTOWN – Public Service Commission staff have filed their initial comments on NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic’s MidAtlantic Resiliency Link Project.
Among other things, staff takes note of the letters of protest and the groups that have asked to intervene in the case.
One sentence sums up their initial joint memorandum: “The application is voluminous and will require continuing extensive study by staff.”
NextEra is seeking PSC OK for its Application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and Related Relief.
As of Monday morning, there were 3,915 letters of protest and 57 letters of support submitted to the PSC. Staff noted that public officials and local governmental bodies have filed letters of protest.
Staff said in its memorandum: “Staff recommends the level of protests received be considered substantial, and the commission schedule both an evidentiary and public comment hearings in this case.”
As we’ve reported, NextEra has submitted a proposed procedural schedule to the PSC. Among the key proposed dates: evidentiary hearing Oct. 26-Nov. 2 (following discovery and testimony); decision due date, March 6, 2027. NextEra also proposes public comment hearings to be held sometime May-June this year.
Most of the memorandum reviews case progress to date and has been reported here in detail. Staff typically files an initial memorandum and a final memorandum with its recommendations in these cases.
Parties with an interest in a case will petition to intervene and file testimony.
Among the intervenors in the MARL case are West Virginians Against Transmission Injustice, consisting of property owners and residents in the counties the proposed route would cross; and 14 individuals known collectively as the Intervenor Group, all property owners along or adjacent to the proposed route.
“These groups would undeniably be affected by the construction of a transmission line,” staff said.
About 58.9 miles of the 107.5-mile MARL line would cross West Virginia: 5.9 miles across Monongalia County, 15.8 across Preston, 10.9 across Mineral and 26.2 across Hampshire.
The current cost estimate for MARL is $1.167 billion. Of this, the current cost estimate for the West Virginia Portions is $482,706,000. These estimates include siting, engineering, construction, financing, administration, and legal costs.
