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Residents ask Monongalia County Commission to oppose MARL transmission project, citing property, environmental and tourism impacts
Summary
Residents asked the Monongalia County Commission on June 18 to oppose the proposed MARL high-voltage transmission line, saying it would bring large towers, harm property values and cross national forests and trails.
Community members urged the Monongalia County Commission on June 18 to oppose the proposed MARL high-voltage transmission project, saying the lines would cross scenic and recreational areas, harm property values and wildlife habitat, and shift costs to West Virginia ratepayers.
Judy Della Garza, who identified herself as a resident of Stuartstown, asked the commission to “join Preston and Hampshire Counties and pass a resolution to oppose the Marl Transmission Line project,” saying the line would bring 110- to 200-foot towers and run near Cheat Lake and other valued natural and historic resources. She also told the commission that West Virginia ratepayers would pay an estimated $440 million for two proposed transmission lines.
Della Garza cited potential impacts including reduced property values, visual impacts on the Cheat Lake viewshed, and risks from erosion and sedimentation during construction that could affect aquatic life. She also said the project would cross federal and national sites including the Monongahela National Forest, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park.
Commissioners said they had received substantial information on the project and were actively fact-finding. Commissioner Sean said the commission is “doing its fact finding to actually understand all angles of the project” and that staff and commissioners plan to attend community information events and meet with interested parties. Commissioners repeatedly said they would not take a public stance until after they had reviewed the facts.
No formal request for a resolution appeared on the June 18 agenda; commissioners did not vote on a resolution during the meeting. Instead, they noted community concern, said they plan to continue researching the project, and identified a June 29 public information session as one venue for further learning.
Speakers asked the commission to consider both local environmental and economic impacts; commissioners said they will review submitted materials and may meet separately with project stakeholders before deciding whether to endorse or oppose the project.
The commission did not take formal action on the MARL project at the June 18 meeting.
