Local property owners raised alarms this week after officials displayed proposed paths for the Valley North transmission line, a project that would stretch about 260 miles between Putnam County, West Virginia, and Frederick County, Maryland. An open house at Tucker County High School drew residents who said the plans could reshape landscapes, affect home values and cross private land.
The project team presented several corridor options during the three-and-a-half-hour meeting. All of the candidate routes discussed would lie north of the town of Thomas, though one alternative would avoid Tucker County entirely. Organizers said a preferred route will be announced in early 2027, with construction slated to begin in 2029 and a goal of completing work by 2031.
What residents are hearing and fearing
More than 100 people visited the open house at different times, attendees said, and roughly 50 representatives from utilities and firms involved with the project staffed information tables. Many locals left the event feeling discouraged and skeptical that the public comment process will meaningfully alter outcomes.
Key community concerns raised at the meeting included:
- Tower height: Proposed lattice or monopole towers would stand about 150 to 175 feet tall.
- Right-of-way width: Construction and maintenance would require a corridor approximately 200 feet wide.
- Property values: Several residents said they expect home and land prices to decline if lines cross private parcels.
- Eminent domain: Officials said they prefer voluntary easements but did not rule out taking land if agreements cannot be reached.
Mon Power spokesman Will Boye told attendees the project team aims to "choose a route that minimizes community and local impact." He said the companies would first pursue voluntary agreements with landowners and resort to eminent domain only as a last measure.
“The goal is to choose a route that minimizes community and local impact,” Will Boye said.
Project purpose and public information
Project materials shared at the open house and on the initiative's website describe the transmission line as intended to meet rising electricity demand across the region and to create opportunities for communities along the route. Some residents said that explanation felt vague and that they suspected other motivations, including providing capacity for large-scale development or interconnection projects.
Attendees asked for clearer answers about the line's intended customers, expected power flows and alternatives to overhead transmission, such as underground routing or distributed energy solutions. Project representatives said those technical determinations are part of the ongoing planning and siting work.
Timeline and next steps
Officials outlined a multi-year schedule at the meeting. The basic timeline presented is:
| Milestone | Projected timing |
|---|---|
| Preferred route selection | Early 2027 |
| Construction start | 2029 |
| Target completion | 2031 |
Project representatives emphasized they will continue outreach and that additional public meetings are planned as the route selection advances. They also encouraged landowners to engage with company negotiators to explore voluntary easement agreements.
What residents can do now
Residents who want to follow the project or make their views known should monitor the project's official webpage and watch for notices about upcoming public hearings. At this stage, officials say route decisions are not final and input could influence the preferred alignment.
Those with questions about specific parcels or potential impacts are advised to document property boundaries, consult county records and attend future outreach events to speak directly with representatives.
The Valley North line would bring visible infrastructure—tall towers, a wide cleared corridor and long spans of transmission wire—through rural landscapes that residents value for recreation, timber and views. As planning proceeds, the balance between regional power needs and local impacts will be the central tension in the months ahead.
Colton McRae is the West Virginia correspondent for News Block.
