Comments accepted: Proposed VA to PA transmission line & substation

Maryland Department of Natural Resources will host an informational meeting on March 13 to gather public feedback on the Mid Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL), a transmission line that’s slated to stretch from Frederick County, VA to Greene County, PA.

According to NextEra Energy, the transmission company responsible for the project, MARL is part of broader effort to strengthen the backbone of the region’s energy grid. The proposed transmission line is expected to stretch about 105 miles and includes adding a new 500/138-kV substation in Frederick County, VA. But the exact route hasn’t been chosen yet, the company says.

That’s why Maryland DNR is hosting the meeting. There’s a possibility that the line could run through western MD, the department said. And Maryland wants to understand the community’s views about transmission lines and potential impacts on wildlands, forests, coldwater streams, and other natural resources.

Meanwhile NextEra Energy is currently conducting a detailed routing study to identify potential route options. The company claims it’s committed to transparent dialogue with local communities along the project route and other stakeholders. So, as part of its study, the company is soliciting online public comments.

NextEra said they want to hear what issues are important to the public as they aim to “ensure proposed routes are considerate of the natural, cultural, and social environment.” That comment form is available here.

NextEra also said they plan to host in-person open houses in this spring.

The Maryland DNR meeting will be held at Savage River Lodge, 1600 Mt. Aetna Road, Frostburg, Maryland from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. This is a comment session and there will be no formal presentations by the Department, Maryland DNR said.

Maryland DNR also has an online comment form for the project available here.