West Virginia PSC Begins Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link Hearings

The Public Service Commission is reviewing a proposal for a 500-kilovolt transmission line crossing three states.

Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Utilities

Isometric editorial illustration of a tall steel electricity transmission tower in a mountainous landscape, representing regional utility infrastructure grid planning. — The West Virginia Public Service Commission has begun evidentiary hearings in Charleston for NextEra Energy Transmission’s proposed 500-kilovolt interstate power line project. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Public Service Commission has begun six days of evidentiary hearings in Charleston regarding the proposed Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link. The project seeks to construct a 107.5-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line spanning Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia to address future grid demand.

Why it matters

These hearings serve as a critical regulatory gateway for the multi-state infrastructure project, which is designed to bolster regional electricity capacity. The commission is tasked with evaluating the developer's application and proposed route changes while managing input from approximately 190 formal intervenors.

The proposed project includes 59 miles of transmission line within West Virginia as part of its total 107.5-mile route. The Public Service Commission is holding six days of hearings to address the proposal with 190 registered intervenors.

The players

Public Service Commission

The state regulatory body responsible for overseeing utilities and infrastructure projects in West Virginia.

NextEra Energy Transmission

The private developer proposing the construction of the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link transmission line.

The details

The developer, NextEra Energy Transmission, previously sought to delay these proceedings until January, but the request was denied by the commission in early September. The hearings are now underway at the Public Service Commission headquarters in Charleston to assess the project's impact and necessity.

Early September 2026: The Public Service Commission denied a request to delay hearings until January.
October 26, 2026: Evidentiary hearings officially began at the Public Service Commission headquarters.
November 2, 2026: The evidentiary hearings are scheduled to conclude.

Market Landscape

This project reflects a broader trend of cross-state utility infrastructure development aimed at upgrading the regional power grid. The hearings follow the regulatory framework established by the Public Service Commission's utility certification process.

The outcomes of these proceedings will determine the path of a high-voltage transmission line through multiple West Virginia counties, potentially impacting land use in the area. Local residents and stakeholders are participating in the process to address concerns regarding the project's route and regional necessity.

The takeaway

Large-scale utility projects often face extensive public scrutiny and legal review before construction permits are finalized. Stakeholders should monitor commission filings to understand how infrastructure proposals directly affect local land and regional utility services.