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BUCKHANNON -- The Upshur County Commission and State Senator Bill Hamilton recently made public their opposition to the proposed Valley North Transmission Line Project.
The project, which would run through 18 West Virginia counties including Upshur, Randolph, Tucker and Barbour, is a proposed 260-mile, 765-kilovolt transmission line that would connect the John E. Amos Power Plant in Putnam County to Frederick County, Maryland. It would consist of high-tension, high-voltage power lines that would stretch across the Mountain State, with towers anywhere from 150 to 174 feet tall.
The Upshur County Commission has adopted a resolution supporting private property rights and opposing the Valley North Transmission Project.
The Commission posted a copy of the resolution and a statement reading, “It is also important to understand that the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) is the agency with the legal authority to approve or deny this project. While county commissions, municipalities, legislators, and other elected officials may advocate on behalf of their communities and express concerns, the final decision rests with the PSC.”
Upshur County Commissioners wrote in the post that, “The project has not yet been filed with the PSC. Once an application is filed, the PSC will establish an official public comment period and announce any public hearings. The Upshur County Commission will share that information with the public as it becomes available.”
The Commission also listed a mapping tool on its Facebook page that residents can use to view the proposed route. Commissioners also encouraged residents to provide input on the project and submit comments directly to the project team, also posting a link for that on their Facebook page.
Hamilton (R-Upshur), meanwhile, also posted a statement about his opposition to the project.
“I've spoken with farmers and residents living near the proposed transmission line, and other citizens from Barbour, Braxton, Randoph, Upshur and other counties, both in person and through emails,” Hamilton wrote. “I've heard concerns about the environment, human and animal health, and reduced property values. I also met with lobbyists for the companies involved, as well as legislators from neighboring states, to better understand the broader picture.”
In his post Hamilton wrote about where the lines will be sending the power if the project is approved.
“As many of you already know, the Valley Link Transmission Line will not currently provide power to West Virginians,” Hamilton wrote. “It's designed to move power to other states, yet we're being asked to shoulder part of the cost. There is talk of future substations to support West Virginia's grid needs, but right now only one located in Hardy County is included in the proposal. And just to clear up a misconception: HB2014 is not related to this project. That bill required data centers to generate their own power.”
Hamilton said the project would affect many landowners in the Mountain State.
“Unlike states with massive 1,000-plus acre farms, many West Virginia farms are 200 acres or less,” Hamilton wrote. “Everyone's property is valuable to the owners, whether it's 1/2 an acre or many acres. Running a high-tension line straight through the middle of a small farm can seriously impact productivity, reduce land value, and eliminate potential building sites.
“This is a real and significant concern for our farmers and property owners. As someone who purchased property with several smaller lines running through it, I understand the plight of landowners. I definitely do not want another one on my property and would not expect others to give up their land for these large transmission lines.”
In late July, the Tucker County Commission unanimously passed a resolution opposing the project. The resolution declared the Commission’s support of private property rights and opposition to the project.
State Senator Robbie Morris, R-11th District, also recently stated that he was against the project, which would have power lines running through Randolph, Tucker, Barbour and Upshur counties.