KEYSER, W.Va. — Mineral County Commissioner Charles “Dutch” Staggs compared a transmission line proposed for the area to a new interstate that residents would help pay for but couldn’t access locally.
The MidAtlantic Resiliency Link project aims to build a 500/138-kV substation in Frederick County, Virginia, with a 105-mile, 500-kV transmission line that would connect to Greene County, Pennsylvania.
NextEra Energy Transmission LLC — the company selected by the regional grid operator to develop the MARL — hasn’t chosen a definite route for the project, but a map on the company’s website shows the proposed route would cross areas of Mineral County as well as Allegany and Garrett counties in Maryland.
“We don’t want it,” Staggs said Friday. “It’s not good for us.”
He said he looked at the proposal through the eyes of a government official as well as a private resident.
While the commissioners were told Mineral County could get between $50 million and $75 million spread out over the next 40 years in revenue from the line, residents would ultimately pay for the project via increased electricity rates and see no service benefit, Staggs said.
“We stand with the citizens. It’s not worth it,” he said. “It’s absolutely ridiculous that (NextEra) would even think that people would go for this.”
Staggs said he talked to commissioners in neighboring West Virginia counties who feel the same way, and he plans to reach out to leaders in Allegany and Garrett counties.
“I think we can fight it,” he said.
“The more we can (work) together, the better (our) chances.”
Formal oppositionMineral County commissioners recently sent a letter, which used strong language to express their opposition to the proposed transmission line project, to parties including NextEra, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, West Virginia Public Service Commission and Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
The letter expressed their “adamant opposition” to any portion of the MARL that would result in construction of overhead high-voltage transmission lines through Mineral County via newly established rights-of-way.
“We categorically reject the use of our county’s private property, farmland, forestland or rural communities for the imposition of this infrastructure,” it stated. “The proposed project — while purporting to advance regional energy resiliency — disregards the substantial and irreversible harm it poses to our citizens, our landscape, and our local economy.”
The MARL threatens values that define Mineral County including stewardship of land held for generations, preservation of rural heritage and the fundamental rights of private property owners, it stated.
“The commission recognizes the broader goals of energy modernization, but firmly maintains that such objectives must not override the rights and well- being of local communities,” it stated. “Any attempt to forcibly assert new transmission corridors through Mineral County — contrary to the will of its elected officials and residents — would be viewed as an indefensible infringement upon our jurisdictional authority and contrary to the principles of equitable infrastructure planning.”
The commissioners also passed a resolution that “formally opposes” the MARL.
Growing listMineral commissioners are among a growing list of West Virginia leaders who are against the proposed MARL.
Dels. Geno Chiarelli and David McCormick, Republicans from Monongalia County, joined their county commission in firm opposition of the project.
The Monongalia County Commission last week unanimously passed a resolution that cited risks to local property values, agriculture and the environment, as well as lack of benefits to West Virginia residents.
“This project may solve an energy transmission challenge for another state, but it would do so at the direct expense of our communities,” Chiarelli said via press release from the West Virginia House of Delegates on Friday. “It threatens property values, places undue burdens on our residents through rate increases and offers no tangible benefit to the people of West Virginia.”
Monongalia County should not be turned into a transmission corridor for out-of-state interests without clear local benefit or consent, Chiarelli said.
McCormick called opposition to the project a bipartisan push, and criticized use of West Virginia land and ratepayer dollars to support economic development for Virginia.
Band togetherFort Ashby resident Tony Campbell is president of West Virginians Against Transmission Injustice.
On Friday, he said he’s “very pleased” with support from Mineral County commissioners in opposition of the MARL proposal.
WATI’s website includes an online petition that’s generated hundreds of signatures against the project, he said.
Campbell said the organization hosted informational booths at recent fairs in Hampshire and Mineral counties.
WATI was at the West Virginia Peach Festival in Fort Ashby this weekend.
“We’re still trying to inform” folks, Campbell said.
Like Staggs, he sees value in a team approach with neighboring counties to fight the proposed project.
Campbell hopes to join forces with Maryland’s Allegany and Garrett county residents who are concerned about the MARL project.
WATI is working with folks in Hampshire, Mineral, Monongalia and Preston counties in West Virginia.
“We’re coordinating very well with all efforts,” Campbell said. “Their commitment to work together has been positive.”