Agriculture chief urges caution on transmission lines

Two high-voltage transmission lines totaling 367.5 miles will cross 24 West Virginia counties, prompting state officials to weigh economic growth against agricultural preservation. The Valley North Transmission Line spans 260 miles at 765 kilovolts, stretching from Putnam County to Maryland through 20 counties. The Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link adds another 107.5 miles at 500 kilovolts, running from Dunkard Township, Pennsylvania, through four West Virginia counties to Gore, Virginia.

State Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt stated that farmers are worried about how these routes will affect their land. He noted that West Virginia currently loses farmland at a slower rate than most other states and wants to maintain that trend. Leonhardt emphasized that farm sales have increased since he took office, and he wants that upward trajectory to continue while the state pursues new infrastructure projects.

The Commissioner said developers must be transparent with landowners about how the projects will impact their properties. He argued that the work must minimize disruption to ongoing agricultural operations. Leonhardt also called for developers to compensate affected landowners properly for any loss of use or value. He described the situation as a crossroads where the state must be thoughtful about how it proceeds, rather than focusing on any single project.

Barbour County farmer Danny Wagner supported Leonhardt's position. Wagner said he and other landowners were relieved to see a member of the Board of Public Works advocate for their interests against the power grid expansion. He highlighted two specific concerns: the proposed 200-foot easement cutting through private land and the 150-foot height of the transmission towers. Wagner said the authority granted to developers to push through the middle of a farm is difficult for private property owners to accept.

Valley Link, the joint venture developing the Valley North project, includes Transource Energy, FirstEnergy Transmission, and Dominion Energy. The group held 23 open houses during the summer to gather feedback on the proposed route. A second round of public meetings is scheduled to begin next month now that the developers have settled on a specific path. Wagner expressed concern that Barbour and Calhoun counties were not selected for locations in this second round of meetings.

Wagner pointed out that residents in those two small counties would have to travel to Buckhannon or Tucker to voice their opinions. He noted that the community has already held informal gatherings to share information. The group plans to attend the legislative committee meetings in November. Wagner is also urging elected officials to support landowners in the process.

The farmer specifically asked for delegates and state senators from the 16 counties impacted by the Valley North line to sign a joint resolution. He wants to ensure the legislative branch is actively engaged in the decision-making process. This push for formal support comes as the state balances the need for reliable power with the economic value of its agricultural sector.