Why do we feel there is an invasion of high voltage transmission projects that simply carry the electricity from the place of production (West Virginia) to out of state users (Frederick County, Maryland and Loudoun County, Virginia)? Yet, we receive no benefit from either the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL, 500 kV) or the Valley Link North transmission projects (765kV). How did we get here and why is this happening? Are there benefits to West Virginians? What are the risks?
How Did We Get Here? Why Is This Happening?
It has to do with “large load” data centers that need to be fed and the decommissioning of some former electric contributors. PJM Interconnection is our grid manager. They are responsible for 13 US States and the District of Columbia to (1) keep the lights on – reliability and (2) provide the electricity at a reasonable price – affordability. Yet PJM and its structure has failed to do this.
In November 2025, members of the U.S. Congress wrote to PJM Board Chair David Mills, this is an excerpt from that letter:
We write as Members of Congress representing tens of millions of Americans in states within the PJM Interconnection (PJM) territory to express our concern with PJM’s proposed approach to managing rapidly increasing energy demand and skyrocketing electricity costs for our constituents. The projected increase in energy demand within PJM in the near future, driven almost entirely by new large data center loads, is a serious concern for future grid reliability, and our constituents are already feeling the impacts on their wallets. Therefore, it is critical that PJM put forward innovative proposals to ensure that it can continue to fulfill its mission to provide affordable and reliable electric service that our constituents depend on, while charting a responsible pathway for data center grid interconnection that does not force our constituents to shoulder the financial and risk burden for wealthy mega corporations.
Several months prior to this letter, Cathy Kunkel, Energy Consultant for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis wrote in May 2025 “West Virginia Rate Payers Footing The Bill for Infrastructure Buildout, Reform Needed in PJM’s Transmission Cost Allocation Process”, https://ieefa.org/resources/west-virginia-ratepayers-footing-bill-infrastructure-build-out
The findings included the following:
· The Mid-Atlantic Reliability Link and Valley Link transmission lines, both of which would cut through parts of West Virginia, have been proposed as part of regional grid operator PJM’s Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP).
· Both lines were proposed in response to forecasts of rapidly growing electricity demand in northern Virginia, largely driven by data centers.
· West Virginia electricity customers will pay more than $440 million for the two lines.
· PJM’s RTEP process should be reformed so that ratepayers across the PJM footprint are not bearing costs associated with transmission infrastructure that is driven by data centers and by state policy decisions to attract more data centers.
In March 2026 the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis updated their findings:
The projected capital cost of NextEra Energy’s portion of the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) has more than doubled. The line was approved in December 2023 by regional transmission operator PJM. At the time, it was expected to cost $441 million. NextEra, however, now estimates that the projected cost will soar to $960 million. The line still needs regulatory approvals from the state public utility commissions in the states that it would traverse. The majority of the proposed route goes through West Virginia to bring power to a massive cluster of data centers in northern Virginia. The latest information indicates that West Virginia customers will be charged $572 million—more than three times the 2025 IEEFA initial estimate of $185 million—for a project that will provide no benefits for them. NextEra is building the line through West Virginia, but has no customers in the state.
How Does West Virginia Benefit from MARL and Valley Link?
Frederick County, Maryland’s data center will benefit, not West Virginia. West Virginia landowners will receive a one-time payment from the developer. The construction of the two projects will be a temporary benefit. Some more accepting of the project, noting that Valley Link could bring some benefit to the state compared with its MARL counterpart because it would connect to the John E. Amos Power Plant in Winfield, West Virginia, run to Frederick County, Maryland, and establish a West Virginia substation (Welton Springs, Old Fields, Hardy County). Sen. Jay Taylor attended the open house and said he is hopeful the Valley Link project could benefit West Virginia, noting that the MARL proposal appeared to be a true pass-through project with little support inside the state. He pointed to Valley Link’s connection to the Amos coal-fired power plant and the planned in-state substation as reasons the project could have more direct value for West Virginia
What Are the Risks?
The proposed Welton Springs substation in Old Fields will have 50 to 60 acres of substation equipment located inside a larger acreage. One of the largest in the country. The only line running in and out is the Valley Link 765 kV transmission line. The only purpose for the substation is to house equipment to provide voltage support to boost the voltage so it can continue its journey to Frederick County, Maryland’s data center. Hardy County will not benefit from this substation but we will have to pay for it.
Valley North’s proposed Welton Springs substation in Hardy County, West Virginia does NOT connect with West Virginia’s electric grid at all. There is one 765kV line going in to Welton Springs, and one 765kV line coming out. Of course, both lines are Valley North. So, what’s the purpose of the substation if it does not connect with any lines in West Virginia? It’s needed for grid stability and voltage control when 765kV lines are more than 100-150 miles long. The voltage regulation is performed by very expensive equipment like this. That’s all that will be at that 50-acre substation. Since Welton Springs does NOT connect with West Virginia’s grid, it’s not useful for West Virginians. It is a “substation” in name only. In reality, it’s just a giant 50-acre way station for boosting voltage.
We will see a permanent destruction of farm land and private property, scarring out majestic mountains and fertile fields with high transmission lines and ruin scenic views, and permanently alter our land. We will see family legacies that are forever damaged.
We will face reduced property values, over 50 percent in some cases. We may face the fact that the developers take private property through eminent domain. We may experience contaminated groundwater as well as health and safety risks.
There will be environmental effects and impacts to the land such as water crossings, erosion, forest fragmentation or slope instability. We will pay millions per year for the project yet we will not receive the electricity and it will not strengthen our local grid reliability.
What Can I Do to Prevent MARL and VALLEY LINK?
1. Sign the West Virginians Against Transmission Line Injustice WATI online petition, Go to https://www.wvatli.org/petition
2. Sign the online petition for Hardy County, Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/106125765637028
3. Contact Hardy County Commissioners and urge them to adopt a resolution opposing MARL and Valley Link transmission projects. Many other West Virginia County Commissions have already done this. Let them know how the Valley Link Transmission lines impact you. Tell your personal stories. a. David “Jay” Fansler, dsfansler@hardynet.com, office: 304.530.0284, home 304.897.5154 b. David J Workman, djworkman@hardycounty.com, office 304.530.0284, home 304.851.0110 c. Steven Schetrom, II, President, steven.schetrom@gmail.com, office 304.530.0284, home 540.333.1784
4. File your comments with the West Virginia Public Service Commission, MARL has an active PSC case but Valley Link has not applied yet. If the West Virginia Public Service Commission approves MARL, then approval of Valley Link will surely follow. I urge you to write in general about how these two transmission projects will affect you by going to a. https://www.psc.state.wv.us
b. On left side of page see “Submit A Comment” click this
c. On the Online Public Comment Submissions click on “Formal Case”
d. At the disclaimer page “I agree” and enter the case number 26-0075-E-CN and press “search”
e. At the “Formal Case List” click on the “comment” button
f. Enter your comment, scroll down to enter your name, address and county. Then click “Submit Comment” at the bottom of the page.
5. Contact your state lawmakers a. Randy E. Smith, President of the Senate, randy.smith@wvsenate.gov , 304.357.7995 b. Jay Taylor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, jay.taylor@wvsenate.gov 304.357.7914 c. Roger Hanshaw, Speaker of the House, roger.hanshaw@wvhouse.gov 304.340.3210 d. Bryan Ward, Delegate District 86, bryan.ward@wvhouse.gov 304.340.3154
6. Volunteer to help and collaborate with other Hardy County residents. Message me on Facebook Hardy County Coalition Against Transmission Lines. https://www.facebook.com/groups/106125765637028
Linda Peters
Baker, WV
