FAQ
Why New Transmission Lines Matter for West Virginia
How will West Virginia benefit from these new transmission line projects?
These lines mean fewer blackouts and shorter outages. That means more reliable power for homes, schools, hospitals, and farms. They also help maintain West Virginia’s energy export economy, which supports 87,000 jobs and brings in over $700 million annually. In addition, hundreds of jobs will be created during construction and the local spending by these workers will support local businesses. A reliable grid will attract new business and enable existing ones to expand. The transmission lines will also generate new tax revenue for local county governments. In short, a modern transmission system is necessary to keep this sector of the state’s economy strong, just as a functioning railroad system is needed to support West Virginia’s coal exports.
Are data centers the only reason they want to build new power lines?
No. Data centers are just one part of the overall picture. Our current transmission system can’t keep up with everything we power today. Homes use 2 to 3 times more electricity than they did 40 years ago, for heating and cooling, appliances, devices, and more. New lines are needed to keep the lights on, prevent blackouts, and ensure families, farms, and businesses have the reliable power they depend on.
Are the power lines part of a push for renewable energy?
Transmission lines don’t care how energy is made; they’re just the highway that gets it to a customer, such as a home, school or business. As an exporter of energy, West Virginia needs reliable transmission highways to get electricity to its customers (who help generate hundreds of millions in annual revenue from exported electricity), just like we need safe railroads to get coal to market.
Why can’t we just fix the old lines?
Repairs keep the grid running for now, but they don’t solve the bigger problem. Our transmission network was built decades ago for a fraction of today’s demand. And demand is expected to grow 10% over the next 10 years. Many lines are near their limits and have no backup routes, so one failure can cause blackouts for whole communities. Modern lines add capacity, create redundancy, and are built to withstand storms, making the grid stronger for the next generation.
Will the cost of construction raise my electric bill?
Stronger transmission is an investment that saves money over time. A recent report found that for every $1 spent on transmission returns up to $4.70 in customer benefits. Fewer outages mean fewer losses from spoiled food, missed work, and damaged equipment. Better lines also reduce costly emergency repairs and allow cheaper power to flow where it’s needed, helping keep rates stable. Investing in reliability now costs less than blackouts later.
Will they take my land using eminent domain?
Both projects are working to secure voluntary agreements with landowners, and eminent domain is not part of the plan. The exact routes for the lines are not finalized, so there is flexibility to work with communities and minimize impacts.
Will this hurt my property value?
Studies show little to no long-term loss in property values near transmission lines. The bigger picture? A reliable grid makes the local economy stronger, supporting jobs, protecting businesses, and keeping our communities thriving. For example, manufacturers will not build new plants where the power supply is too weak or unreliable to support their needs. And frequent blackouts undermine quality of life and make West Virginia a less desirable place to live.