In the wake of another Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert from PJM Interconnection, Valley Link has announced a new round of community engagement meetings for its planned transmission line. The proposed line system would connect the John Amos power plant near Charleston to expanding markets for West Virginia-generated energy in the mid Atlantic.
Its Valley North project helps to fulfill the need of expanding both power generation and transmission line capacity to the grid that 13 states and the District of Columbia rely upon for consistent and uninterrupted service.
From Oct. 12 through 14, the onset of Indian Summer-type temperature increases created load management strains on the system.
Maximum generation alerts request that production and transmission work or testing be canceled if possible to keep the maximum amount of power generation and distribution capacity available. Load management alerts inform those who have voluntarily agreed to reduce or cut power during times of strain that they should do so.
The United States Department of Energy also provided a temporary waiver from Oct. 13 through 16 for PJM related generation stations from certain environmental regulations to ensure more efficient generation.
Additionally, data centers and other “Large Load customers” were authorized and encouraged to switch to their in-house backup generator sources.
These measures help to prevent PJM Interconnection from having to reduce service to customers to maintain grid effectiveness overall. They have warned in recent years that without increased power generation and transmission line expansion capacity, that brownouts or blackouts could become necessary during times of strain on the grid.
This normally occurs during extremes of heat and cold weather, also times when vulnerable residents can least afford to lose their electric power at all.
Valley Link’s Valley North project will upon completion serve as an important artery of power connecting, in this instance, West Virginia coal and power production to markets that need more power. It also solidifies the PJM grid that West Virginia relies upon for power.
In terms of power production, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey’s 50 GW by 2050 plan to step up production will be a major foundation for future grid stability. Exporting power, just like the export of manufactured products, brings back significant revenues that both boost the state economy and expand state and local tax revenues.
Valley Link in its original slate of meetings contacted anyone who might be considered for hosting a transmission tower on their land. This was far more people than will actually be asked to host, which raised the level of community concern. Social media translated concern into organized opposition with the assistance of both in and out of state groups.
Despite some opposition, the response played an important role in shaping the map. “The questions and feedback we received this summer helped shape not only the project but also the information we’ll be sharing at these upcoming open houses,” said Isaac Rhoades, President of Valley Link in a news release.
The second round of meetings “is focused on gathering additional feedback from landowners and communities within the potential route areas before route recommendations are finalized,” he added.
Some local governments in West Virginia have taken sides on the issue. The Town of Wardensville, for instance, has through a resolution registered its opposition to both the line and also House Bill 2014 that precluded county commissions from regulating or preventing such projects on their own.
On the other hand, the Pendleton County Commission declined to pass a resolution that would oppose transmission lines, data centers, or wind and solar production in their county or across the state. Commission President Carl Hevener shared that two of the commissioners had been lifelong farmers and the third worked for the Farm Service Agency for many years.
Then speaking for the Commission, he said “our ancestors had to put in power lines through here once upon a time” and that “power lines have to go through somewhere.” Hevener added “are we setting ourselves up for trouble down the road by opposing needed infrastructure upgrades?”
Valley Link shared that “the open houses are an opportunity for community members and landowners to learn about the project, review potential route options, ask questions and share feedback directly with the project team.”
Those who live within 1,000 feet of new proposed routes have been notified, as have those whose properties are no longer on or within the 1,000 foot range. Valley Link stated that they heard from more than 6,500 on the project.
