A proposed 500,000-volt transmission line running from Pennsylvania through Jefferson County, West Virginia, to power data centers in Virginia is facing significant opposition. Property owner Mary Gee, a vocal critic, claims that the project will lead to increased electric bills for West Virginia residents without providing them any benefits. She is part of a social media group, PJM Interconnection Transmission Proposal 2023, which aims to inform residents and oppose the expansion.
Gee, along with several county commissions and local delegates, is concerned that utility companies will pass the costs of the project onto local ratepayers. "We, the people who get electric bills in West Virginia, will pay for the line," Gee said. The project is still under review, with the decision lying with the Public Service Commissions (PSCs) of the states involved.
The demand for electricity from data centers is a growing concern nationwide. In Pennsylvania, states are under pressure to shield regular ratepayers from the costs of powering energy-intensive data centers. According to WNEP, data centers can require more electricity than entire cities, leading to increased electricity costs for other consumers.
The proposed transmission line is part of a larger federal initiative, the Mid-Atlantic National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC), which aims to address energy reliability needs due to the rapid addition of data centers. However, the Piedmont Environmental Council warns that this could undermine environmental progress and increase energy costs for residents.
A First Energy Open House is scheduled for August 13 at Shepherd University Wellness Center, where residents can express their concerns and learn more about the project.