Transmission line project faces backlash over costs, data center demand

NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic's proposed Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) transmission line, designed to span from Greene County, Pennsylvania, to Frederick, Virginia, is encountering substantial backlash in West Virginia. The project, which crosses Mineral, Hampshire, Preston, and Monongalia counties, has seen its projected cost soar from an initial $441 million to $960 million. West Virginia residents, county governments, and advocacy groups are challenging the high-voltage line, raising concerns that the state's ratepayers could be burdened with an estimated $572 million over 40 years for infrastructure primarily serving out-of-state data centers in Northern Virginia. Governor Patrick Morrisey has echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need to ensure West Virginia does not merely serve as a "pass-through" for electricity without gaining meaningful local benefits. The Public Service Commission of West Virginia has granted intervenor status to a coalition of county governments, landowners, and grassroots organizations, including the Preston and Hampshire county commissions and West Virginians Against Transmission Injustice. These groups are participating directly in the regulatory process, where they can present evidence and cross-examine witnesses. The commission is evaluating whether the project meets the legal standard of public convenience and necessity, with evidentiary hearings scheduled for October and a final decision anticipated in early 2027.