FORT ASHBY, W.Va. — A series of public clinics will begin this week to discuss impacts of, and ways to intervene with, a proposed high-voltage transmission line project.
West Virginians Against Transmission Injustice will host the meetings in Mineral County, March 26; Slanesville, March 30; Romney, March 31; Monongalia County, April 1; Capon Bridge, April 4; and Preston County, April 12.
Wednesday, the West Virginia Public Service Commission conditionally approved NextEra Energy’s revised filing notice for the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link proposed to stretch from Pennsylvania to Virginia and impact many communities in between.
The approval includes establishment of a procedural schedule and grants six petitions, including for WATI, to intervene.
Thursday, WATI President Tony Campbell said the process to become an intervenor can be complicated.
“While petitions can be uploaded to the PSC docket, where all parties receive updates, intervenors are still required to notify each party individually,” he said via email. “As the case progresses and more parties are added, this requirement becomes increasingly burdensome.”
One of WATI’s goals is to work with legislators and the PSC to help streamline and modernize the process for citizens, he said, adding that the clinics “will provide updates on the MARL project and clearly explain the intervenor process for those who wish to participate.”
The recent PSC order sets a June 1 deadline for intervenors followed by events including a hearing and a March 2027 decision date.
Further, it states the PSC “reserves the right to require production of additional financial testimony, projections, or specific (tariff-related) exhibits if, during the course of these proceedings, it determines that such information is necessary for a complete evaluation of the reasonableness of the proposed project and its direct or indirect rate impact on West Virginia ratepayers.”
NextEra Energy in September released a map of its proposed route for the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link, a roughly 107.5-mile, 500-kilovolt line that will cross four states, including protected areas in Western Maryland. The line runs from a substation in Dunkard Township, Pennsylvania, through West Virginia and Maryland, and to a connection point near Gore, Virginia.
At that time, NextEra spokeswoman Kaitlin McCormick said the company conducted an extensive routing study and listened to feedback from stakeholders, elected officials, local businesses and community organizations.
“We identified ways to minimize impacts on landowners, the environment and local communities,” she said via press release.
“Be assured, we will continue to engage and remain committed to working constructively with all stakeholders.”