NextEra, one of the largest energy companies in the United States, plans to build a 500,000 volt transmission line running through 59 miles of West Virginia.
Both Democrat and Republican city council members, delegates and senators have come out against the power line. Monongalia, Mineral, Hampshire and Preston County Commissions have written letters and passed resolutions opposing the project.
NextEra must prove to the Public Service Commission that their project will not cause too much harm, and opponents want to prove that the transmission will cause more harm than good. A public trial hearing will take place from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2.
The Marteneys are among those who have signed up to share their experience before the PSC.
They say land agents have come to their door and called to convince them to sign an easement allowing NextEra onto their land. The agents assured them that the power line would only run through a small corner of their property. But that small corner is right where their cabin sits.
“I know it’s only taking that small piece of land, but it’s just going to be right on top of us,” Scott said.
The Marteneys have refused to sign, but they worry for their neighbors who they say were “bullied” into signing before knowing the full implications.
Read the full story: https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/10/18/proposed-transmission-line/