MidAtlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) 500 kV transmission line
TTransmission line
A proposed 107.5-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line through Pennsylvania, West Virginia,
Maryland and Virginia. The West Virginia section is 58.9 miles long and would cross Monongalia,
Preston, Mineral and Hampshire counties. According to the developer, through most of
Monongalia and Preston counties the line would follow an existing high-voltage transmission
line. PJM Interconnection, which runs the regional grid, selected the project in 2023.
NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic applied to the West Virginia Public Service Commission
for approval on January 30, 2026. In September 2026, a technical analyst for the PSC’s staff
recommended that the Commission deny the application in full, finding no evidence that the line
would bring a material benefit to West Virginia. The PSC’s evidentiary hearing is set for
October 26–30 and November 2 in Charleston; about 64 people have filed to intervene and
potentially testify.
The Preston County and Monongalia County commissions have opposed the project, as has the group
West Virginians Against Transmission Injustice, which is an intervenor in the PSC case. NextEra
expects construction to start in late 2029 if the project is approved.
Affected counties
Proposed route crosses these counties (58.9 miles in West Virginia)
NextEra announces the route it will propose, after more than 1,200 public comments
NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic files its application with the WV Public Service Commission
PSC sets the case schedule and grants the first petitions to intervene
A PSC staff technical analyst recommends the Commission deny the application in full
PSC evidentiary hearing begins in Charleston (continues through Oct. 30 and on Nov. 2)
Permits and cases
PSC case 26-0075-E-CN: Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the West Virginia portions of the MARL Project
Local groups working on this
West Virginians Against Transmission Injustice (WATI)
Hampshire and Mineral counties
A nonprofit advocacy group for residents of Hampshire and Mineral counties, raising awareness about high-voltage transmission lines that it says disrupt communities while serving data centers in Virginia. It is an intervenor in the PSC case on NextEra's MidAtlantic Resiliency Link.
WV Clean and Beautiful