Commission directs letter to PSC and seeks inter-county coordination on NextEra transmission proposal; Hampshire Center appraisal pending

The Hampshire County Commission voted on Oct. 6 to authorize Commissioner Mance to draft a letter to the West Virginia Public Service Commission outlining the county's concerns about a proposed transmission line route presented by NextEra Energy and to pursue coordinated messaging with other affected counties.

Commissioner Brill summarized outreach and local sentiment, saying counties already affected have varied responses and noting that "a lot of folks I've spoken to, the biggest concerns continue to be... where does this stop?" He urged coordinated action and suggested sending a joint letter to the PSC and possibly to the governor's office.

Commissioners discussed the value of a unified, multi-county message. One commissioner noted that Preston County had already sent correspondence to the governor and the PSC. Commissioners agreed that a coordinated statement from multiple affected counties would present a stronger position to state leaders and regulators and discussed filing intervener status with the PSC as an option in the future.

A motion giving Commissioner Mance authority to draft a letter to the PSC for the commission's review passed unanimously.

Separately, commissioners raised the status of the Hampshire Center (the building formerly under Board of Education ownership) and related roof repairs and interior work. County staff said the deed transferring property title has not yet been recorded, and that the Board of Education's reluctance to have liability for roof work was the current impediment. Commissioners agreed the transfer to the development authority — and recording of a deed — would remove the Board of Education's liability and allow roof repairs and other work to proceed.

One commissioner said funds earmarked for the building are ready but work must await the recorded deed. "The board of education doesn't want a roof project coming in that they're gonna be liable for because they own it. So as soon as they get ownership transferred over to the development authority, that project can move forward," the commissioner said.

Commissioners directed staff to follow up with the appraiser for the Hampshire Center and to compile previous research so the commission can schedule a financial discussion at the next meeting. The commission also discussed outreach to the Association of Counties and the possibility of using a November meeting as an opportunity to coordinate with other counties.

The motion to authorize drafting the PSC letter passed; commissioners recorded the vote as unanimous. The commission scheduled further follow-up on the Hampshire Center appraisal and property transfer.

No formal regulatory filings were made at the meeting; the commission's action was limited to authorizing a draft letter and to administrative follow-up on the appraisal and deed recording.