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FirstEnergy describes Gore/Dobbs/Goose Creek rebuild; company highlights right‑of‑way approach and permitting schedule
Summary
FirstEnergy told the committee it plans to rebuild an existing corridor and add a 500 kV circuit across parts of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland, emphasizing use of existing rights of way, taller monosteel structures, and a PSC filing expected in Q1 with construction planned to begin in 2027.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Abby Reals, senior advisor for governmental affairs at FirstEnergy, briefed the joint committee on the Gore/Dobbs/Goose Creek project, a roughly 44‑mile rebuild and upgrade that will add 500 kV capacity along existing rights of way and requires state and federal permitting.
Reals said the project will replace older 138 kV wood‑pole structures with fewer monosteel poles (average height cited ~185 feet) in existing corridors to reduce the number of structures while adding a 500 kV circuit. She described planned environmental reviews and federal permits (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps, National Park Service) and noted portions of the corridor intersect the Appalachian Trail area. The company said it has conducted earlier public meetings, will continue engagement and expects to file with the PSC in the first quarter, target construction in 2027 and an in‑service date by 2030.
FirstEnergy emphasized using existing right of way where possible, managing vegetation and minimizing community impacts during construction and restoration phases.
