Monongalia County commissioners hear public concerns about proposed high-voltage transmission line; approve routine county items

Juliet Marlier, a Morgantown resident, urged the Monongalia County Commission on Oct. 1 to continue opposing a proposed high-voltage transmission line and to coordinate with other elected officials and residents around the state.

Marler said she appreciates a prior county resolution opposing the project and asked what follow-up the commission plans after new route maps and proposals emerged. "We don't feel even if the route doesn't go over our property or doesn't even come close, that it's still — we don't know what's gonna happen in the future," Marlier said. She also said ratepayers would be subsidizing the project and urged commissioners to consider forming broader coalitions.

The commissioners discussed continued monitoring and possible future intervention. Commissioner Sean (title recorded as County Commissioner) said the commission had previously discussed the possibility of intervening and noted other counties have already chosen to be interveners. "Even just that communication amongst, you know, we are out there, just because we're silent doesn't mean we're not doing anything," he said. The commission did not make a formal decision to intervene at this meeting.

The public comment period also included a written letter from Mary Alice Dunn thanking the commission for earlier public opposition and urging continued action. Marlier announced a community meeting scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Cheat Lake Fire Hall and invited commissioners and residents to attend.

Why it…