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 18 states and Canada.
Learn more about the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link
Transmission lines like those proposed for this project are the backbone of the regional grid. These lines move electricity at nearly the speed of light, ensuring that power generated in one location can reach communities across multiple states in just seconds. This rapid delivery is essential for maintaining reliable service, supporting essential services and powering what matters most – our homes, our businesses and our way of life.
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 growing 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.
In response to the 2022 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP), NextEra Energy Transmission submitted proposals to address identified transmission needs. 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 the project, PJM 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 500 kV 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. By strengthening the backbone of the regional grid, this project supports American energy independence and local businesses and attracts large-scale commercial business opportunities, such as 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. These benefits prioritize American communities and American energy security.
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, experienced stakeholders evaluated the proposed and alternative routes. This involved collecting data and feedback to identify constraints, like sensitive habitats or cultural resources, and opportunities, like paralleling roadways. We have submitted applications for state permits with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia and the Maryland Public Service Commission, which governs the permitting process for transmission lines along the proposed route. In the coming weeks, we will file applications with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the Virginia State Corporation Commission. This process required the transmission developer to execute a detailed routing study that evaluated potential effects and presented a proposed route along with alternatives for each state’s utility commission’s consideration. The main goal of our routing study process was to collaborate closely with local communities to identify a route that avoided or limited effects to landowners, communities and the environment, while meeting the energy reliability needs of the region. This collaborative approach ensured that community voices were heard and considered throughout the development of the transmission infrastructure.
The state’s respective utility 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 utility commission.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
West Virginia Public Service 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 1,500 comments from community members at open houses, comment cards, online surveys, phone and email inquiries. We engaged in one-on-one meetings with local commissioners and elected officials and held more than 350 meetings with local organizations, businesses and associations. Ultimately, the final route will be reviewed and approved by each state’s utility commission.
The subsidiaries aim to file their application with each state’s utility commission in the first quarter of 2026.
Undergrounding the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link is not feasible due to several critical factors. The construction would require multiple continuous trenches and large-diameter horizontal drills, causing significantly greater and longer disruptions to properties, farms, roads and natural areas than overhead lines. The right-of-way clearing for underground construction would be wider than for overhead lines and would remain cleared for the life of the project to ensure access for maintenance and repairs. The design would need extensive infrastructure to manage heat and electrical buildup using unproven technology at this length and voltage. Underground lines also require more time for maintenance and repairs, potentially causing longer outages and affecting reliability. Additionally, undergrounding would cost roughly 10-20 times more than overhead construction.
*NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic, Inc. and NextEra Energy Transmission Virginia, Inc. are subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Transmission, LLC.