No WV substations in proposed MARL routes, but state ratepayers may have to pick up the cost

A large scale transmission line project is on the table with a price tag to match.

The 107.5-mile MidAtlantic Resiliency Link project would stretch from Pennsylvania to Virginia, passing through northern parts of West Virginia.

Lawmakers heard a presentation during the legislative session which detailed this project, but their biggest question wasn't answered, will these transmission lines benefit West Virginia?

A bill was introduced which would have required transmission lines running through the state to include substations near industrial parks to benefit West Virginia ratepayers, but ultimately it did not make it across the finish line.

In the proposed routes for the MARL project, no substations are included in West Virginia.

It is estimated that the cost to West Virginia ratepayers could top $570 million, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

"I personally don't want to see West Virginians pay for an infrastructure piece that they're not going to get any of the benefit of," U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said. "It remains to be seen whether that is the case with the transmission line."

Capito said believes the transmission line should move forward because it will benefit everybody in the end. She does note that payment issues could be a source of concern.

"We need to to build the infrastructure to carry that energy to the end user and that requires building transmission and that requires acquisitions of property," Capito said. "It requires permitting. It requires making sure that air and water, environmental provisions are are taken care of."

Four different public comment sessions for this project are scheduled for June in Romney, Keyser, Morgantown and Kingwood.
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wchs8fox11​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wchs8fox11/

For the latest local and national news, visit our website: https://wchstv.com/
Sign up for our newsletter: https://wchstv.com/sign-up

Видео No WV substations in proposed MARL routes, but state ratepayers may have to pick up the cost канала WCHS-TV