NextEra Energy Transmission, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc., is the leading competitive electric company in the U.S. that has approximately 3,100 miles of transmission lines in operation and development across North America. NextEra Energy Transmission and its subsidiaries have substantial experience creating innovative and cost-effective transmission solutions that are critical to improving the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid. This includes owning, developing, designing, constructing, operating and maintaining transmission projects across 17 states and Canada.
Learn more about the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link
The electric transmission system, commonly known as the grid, moves electricity across high-voltage lines from various power sources to the communities where it can be used. The proposed project is critical to strengthening our region’s electric grid to ensure your family has reliable energy.
Company Overview
Project Overview
The project was selected as part of a portfolio of transmission solutions designed to upgrade the regional electric grid and address reliability concerns arising from growing electricity demand in the region. This bi-directional transmission line will connect from a substation in Pennsylvania – just over the border from Morgantown, West Virginia – to a connection point near Gore, Virginia, enabling communities along the route to import energy when needed and sell excess energy when available. The project also includes a new 500/138-kV substation in Frederick County, Virginia as well as an interconnect to an existing substation on the Maryland side of the West Virginia border that can enable increased additional local distribution of energy.
The PJM Interconnection (PJM) is a regional transmission organization that is charged by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with coordinating the sale and movement of electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. It is PJM’s responsibility to ensure the electricity needs of the 65 million people in its footprint are met. This includes planning for the future needs of the electric system. The proposed MidAtlantic Resiliency Link emerged from the PJM planning process.
PJM routinely conducts a long-range Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP) process that identifies what changes and additions to the electric grid are needed to ensure reliability. When undertaking its 2022 RTEP, PJM identified reliability issues. In response, NextEra Energy Transmission subsidiaries submitted the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link as a proposed solution to help address unprecedented reliability concerns.
The regional grid operator selected proposals that were the most effective or cost-efficient solutions for addressing the transmission needs in the study area. In selecting a reliability project, PJM states that it “uses a comprehensive planning process that includes open and competitive solicitations and looks for projects that can fulfill the reliability needs identified as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible.” In particular, the regional grid operator found that the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link offered the “needed reliability reinforcement to serve both the west to east transfer need and also provide a third supply source."
A stronger electric grid means fewer outages. The proposed MidAtlantic Resiliency Link project would strengthen the electric grid, and help power what matters most – our homes, our businesses and our way of life. Making the electric grid more reliable supports local businesses and attracts large-scale commercial business opportunities like manufacturing.
Beyond enhancing regional energy reliability, the project will create job and career opportunities, generate millions of dollars in tax revenue over its lifespan and spur investment in the local economy during construction.
NextEra Energy Transmission subsidiaries are committed to cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with local communities, as well as establishing an ongoing, transparent dialogue, so that the public is given the opportunity to be involved and communicate their perspectives. If you want to be added to our stakeholder email list to receive information about the project, please request it through the form below. Information about the project will be distributed to those interested parties on a regular basis.
Routing and Siting
We will continue to receive feedback through our website, inbox and hotline.
Hotline: 833-849-1461
During the routing process, qualified employees and third-party subject-matter experts evaluated the proposed routes and alternatives. This involved collecting data and feedback to identify constraints, like sensitive habitats or cultural resources, and opportunities, like paralleling roadways. We will apply for the required state permits through each state's respective public service commission, which governs the permitting process for transmission lines along the proposed route. This process requires the transmission developer to execute detailed routing studies that evaluate potential effects and present a proposed route along with alternatives for the respective state’s public service commission consideration. The main goal of our routing study process is to collaborate closely with local communities to identify a route that avoids or limits effects to landowners, communities and the environment while meeting the energy reliability needs of the region. This collaborative approach ensures that community voices are heard and considered throughout the development of the transmission infrastructure.
The state’s respective public service commission governs the permitting process for transmission lines in each of the states along the proposed route. The final route will be reviewed and approved by the respective state’s public service commission.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
West Virginia Public Service Commission
Maryland Public Service Commission
Virginia State Corporation Commission
Through an extensive routing study process, we identified ways to minimize effects on landowners and the environment while meeting regional energy needs. Our proposed route reflects extensive community feedback. We hosted eight open houses along the proposed route where nearly 1,200 attendees interacted with our team. We analyzed more than 1,200 comments from community members at open houses and through online surveys, engaged in one-on-one meetings with local commissioners and elected officials and held more than 300 meetings with local organizations, businesses and associations. Ultimately, the final route will be reviewed and approved by the respective state’s public service commission.
The subsidiaries aim to file their application with each state’s public service commission in late 2025.
*NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic, Inc. and NextEra Energy Transmission Virginia, Inc. are subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Transmission, LLC.