NextEra files Mid Atlantic Resiliency Link application; county receives physical public filing
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Summary
NextEra Energy Transmission Mid Atlantic Inc. filed for a certificate with the West Virginia Public Service Commission for the Mid Atlantic Resiliency Link; Monongalia County received bound application materials for public inspection and commissioners discussed making the binders available at the commission office.
NextEra Energy Transmission Mid Atlantic Inc. (NEAT MA) has filed an application with the West Virginia Public Service Commission seeking a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the West Virginia portions of the Mid Atlantic Resiliency Link project, the Monongalia County Commission was told on Feb. 11.
A commissioner read a cover letter from Christopher Kalis, identified in the transcript as counsel for Jackson County and counsel for NextEra, saying NEAT MA distributed copies of its application to information repositories, including the Monongalia County Commission. The materials were provided as physical binders; staff told commissioners no electronic versions were provided. The commission was asked to place the binders “in a safe yet accessible location where every member of the public may view them.”
Why it matters: A certificate from the Public Service Commission would authorize construction, financing, ownership and operation of transmission components within West Virginia. The county’s role at this stage is to receive and make the application materials available for public inspection; it does not grant or deny state regulatory authority.
What was said: Speaker 2 read the letter and described the distribution list and logistics, saying residents who wish to review the files should contact the commission office to make arrangements. The transcript records no discussion of the project merits at the meeting beyond a later, separate statement by another commissioner who said they were opposed to the line.
Local reaction: Speaker 3 stated, on his own behalf, that he “remains vehemently opposed to the pipeline to a pipeline to the transmission line coming through West Virginia in any way, shape, or form... I think it's gonna be an overly burdensome tax upon our taxpayers,” and said he expected utility bills to rise without local benefit. The transcript does not show any response from NEAT MA or other parties to that statement during the meeting.
What’s next: The filing was submitted to the West Virginia Public Service Commission; members of the public who wish to review the application can request access to the binders at the Monongalia County Commission office. Any formal review, hearings, or rulings will be scheduled and conducted by the state Public Service Commission.
