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 matters: The proposed project, described by residents as a high-voltage transmission line and referenced in public filings with the West Virginia Public Service Commission and PJM Interconnection, could affect property, local road use for construction and future electric rates in parts of Monongalia County and neighboring counties. Commissioners emphasized due diligence and continued monitoring; no formal legal action was taken at this meeting.

Other business and formal votes

While the transmission line prompted extended public comment and discussion, the commission moved through a series of routine and project-related actions during the Oct. 1 meeting. Highlights of motions and approvals recorded on the public record include personnel approvals, contract amendments and fund disbursements.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda: Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented (motion recorded). Outcome: approved (all in favor). - Estate of Leah Ann Williams: Motion to accept a copy of the waiver of final settlement and to accept the waiver in its current form without additional beneficiary signatures based on the cited statute. Outcome: approved (all in favor). - Personnel: Approval of hires — Lina Lascola (part-time relief worker, Youth Services Center) and Hannah Cessna (part-time administrative assistant, Prosecuting Attorney's Office). Outcome: both approved (all in favor). - Proclamation: Proclaimed October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (presentation read by Emma Hines of RDVIC). Outcome: approved (all in favor). - Reappointments: Mitch Moore and Ron Lytle reappointed to the Monongalia County Deputy Sheriff Civil Service Commission. Outcome: approved (all in favor). - University Town Center excise tax district requisition (administration item): Pulled from the agenda by motion; motion to pull approved (no action taken on the requisition). - County Fire Protection Contingency Fund disbursement: Motion to disburse $7,006.05 (request recorded in discussion with an overall project total of roughly $15,003.87) to the Monongalia County Volunteer Fire Companies Association for radio/tower upgrades; remaining costs to be covered by the Volunteer Fire Association. Outcome: approved (all in favor). - Comcast authorization letter: Approved a letter authorizing Comcast contractors to perform work in public rights-of-way and utility easements for the county broadband initiative, provided required permits are obtained. Outcome: approved (all in favor). - Patton Janitorial Services contract amendment: Approved an amendment that reworks scope/pricing into more granular line items (monthly firm fixed price for routine work; hourly or per-square-foot pricing for additional services) and incorporates a CPI-based increase effective 10/01/2025 through 09/30/2026. Outcome: approved (all in favor). - Letter to West Virginia Secretary of Transportation: Approved a letter thanking WVDOT staff for collaboration on the Exit 155 project and CC'ing the governor and the developer. Outcome: approved (all in favor). - UTC Series 2023b property tax bonds requisition No. 3: Approved requisition number 3 for the University Town Center Series 2023b property tax bonds project fund in the amount recorded on the agenda as $7,475,003.66. Outcome: approved (all in favor).

What was not decided

The commission did not take a formal vote at this meeting to intervene in proceedings before the West Virginia Public Service Commission regarding the transmission project. Commissioners described continued information-gathering and coordination with neighboring counties and municipal leaders; one commissioner noted other counties have already filed to intervene.

Background and context

Public comments referred to filings with the West Virginia Public Service Commission and to PJM Interconnection's request-for-proposals process; NextEra was named by speakers as a developer that has entered PJM and requested proposals. A resident noted that comments submitted by email to the PSC are not always logged on the PSC website in the same way as online-submitted comments. Commissioners reiterated they are monitoring new route maps and related filings and will continue deliberations and outreach.

Closing note

The meeting also included brief department and commissioner reports, announcements of letters of support submitted for local grant applications, and routine administrative business. The commission adjourned after completing the day's agenda.