Frequently Asked Questions

TWO!!!  A 500kV line called the Mid-Atlantic Resiliancy Link/Gore-Doubs-GooseCreek and a 765kV line named Valley Link North  (aka. PATH 2.0) These lines enter Frederick County across the West Virginia state line through Gore down through Clear Brook and into Clarke County,  across the northern piece of Clarke County to the West Virginia border into Jefferson County  and then traverse Neersville and Lovettsville from the West Virginia line to the Potomac River.   Our rural communities are now facing the possibility of a massive transmission infrastructure row 550' to 600' wide with  an additional TWO HVAC transmission lines to support the Data Centers in Eastern Loudoun's Data Center Alley. 

These are also impacting the neighbouring counties of Jefferson  and Hampshire counties in West Virginia and Frederick and Montgomery counties, in Maryland

These will require both expanding the existing easements and new greenfield easements,  if both transmission lines are approved the row would be almost four times as wide as a football field is wide and will take 365 acres in the Lovettsville and Neersville areas alone! 

On top of the destruction of 365 acres of private property in Loudoun and the local environment, plus an unprecedented level of Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) for the people forced to live beside it, these structures would cut 185' or more  into the skyline and will be the prominent feature of the view shed for the entire area. 

If these are approved people in the Lovettsville and Neersville area will be living beside: 

• The existing Dominion 500kV transmission line in the existing 200'  easement
• Mid-Atlantic Resiliancy Link/Gore-Doubs-GooseCreek, a new 500kV transmission line on a 185'  mono-pole with the existing 138kV transmission line under-built 
• Valley Link North,  a new 765kV transmission line on guyed-wire V-structures,  in a brand new 200' greenfield easement roughly parallel to the existing easements 

There are no existing transmission corridors anywhere in the PJM region with a 765kV, two 500kV and a 138kV transmission line co-located in the same corridor.

The Mid-Atlantic Resiliancy Link/Gore-Doubs-GooseCreek transmission line is part of  a set of transmission projects approved by PJM to import energy into Northern Virginia to meet the unprecedented power demands of the  data center industry in Eastern Loudoun County, a 32sq mile area known as Data Center Alley.  There are multiple segments to this project.

The northern section of the transmission line project from the 502 junction in PA, through WV to a handoff point in Gore, VA and the Woodside substation were assigned to NextERA by PJM. NextERA is calling their portion the  Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL)  Next ERA Project Maps can be found here: MARL Project Map

The southern section of the line was assigned to First Energy by PJM. First Energy is calling their section the Gore-Doubs-Goose Creek Improvement Project. First Energy Project Maps can be found here:  Virginia And West Virginia Interactive Map,  Maryland Interactive Map 

If approved, this transmission line would  traverse :

• 2 Counties in Pennsylvania: Greene  and Fayette 
• 5 Counties in West Virginia: Preston, Monongalia,  Mineral, Hampshire and Jefferson
• 4 Counties in Maryland:  Garrett, Allegany, Frederick and Montgomery
• 3 Counties in Virginia: Frederick, Clarke and Loudoun.  

In Frederick County, VA and Jefferson County, WV  it will require expansion of First Energy's existing  138kV easement in some areas and new easements of 200' in various locations to avoid structures and other impediments. The proposed structure include H frames and 185' mono-poles with the existing 138kV underbuilt.  The proposed 500kV Woodside substation is to be sited in Clear Brook, VA.

From Jefferson County, WV it enters Loudoun County, VA across Short Hill mountain, then traverses the Neersville and Lovettsville areas, running approximately 15 miles to the Potomac River where it crosses into Frederick County, MD then heads south through Montgomery County and crosses the Potomac again to finally connect into the Goose Creek Substation in Eastern Loudoun County, VA   

This transmission line will also cross the Monongahela National Forest, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and it will run parallel down the view shed of the Potomac River.

The Valley Link (765kV) Portfolio is a pair of disconnected 765kV transmsission lines to bring energy from remote generation sources in the states to the north of Virginia and generation sources in southern Virginia into Northern Virginia for the new and expanding Data Centers in Northern Virginia, specifically, Data Center Alley. 

New 200' easements will be taken for the entire length of both lines (Valley Link North - 261 miles, Valley Link South - 115 miles,  376 miles in total). The Valley Link portfolio will take at least 9,115 acres of private property - soley to support the data center build out in Northern Virginia. 

765kV transmission lines are the biggest HVAC structure and line available and these lines are proposed to be on guyed V-lattice towers. These towers can be as tall as 180' -200'. These are possibly the foulest, most land use restrictive, intensive and invasive electric infrastructure available!  

The only 765kV transmission line built between WV and VA was the 90 mile Wyoming - Jackson Ferry 765kV line. The permitting process for it began in 1991, the final approval and Env. Impact Statement from the Forest Service was in 2002 and the line was not energized until June of 2006. Fifteen 15 years for a transmission line that is 1/3 the length of the proposed Valley Link  line. View a video of the construction of the Wyoming Station - Jackson Ferry transmission line.

Valley Link North  (Amos-Welton Springs-Rocky Point) is a proposal to build a  261-mile, from the John Amos power station in Putnam County, West Virginia terminating at a new substation in Frederick County Maryland. A new substation (Welton Springs) is proposed in Hardy County, West Virginia. If built, approximately 6,328 acres of property will be taken for this line. This line impacts:

• 20 counties in West Virginia - Putnam, Kanawha, Roane, Calhoun, Braxton, Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, Tucker, Preston, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire and Jefferson, Harrison, Jackson, Gilmer, Doddridge, Randolph and  Hardy. There will be a new 765kV substation in Hardy County. The new substation is named Welton Springs
• 3 counties in Virginia  - Frederick, Clarke and Loudoun 
• 2 counties in Maryland - it would cross Garrett County and terminates in Frederick County where it will terminate at a new substation (Rocky Point) south of the existing Doubs substation. 

See the Valley Link North Project Site for  open house schedules, maps and additional information. 

Valley Link South (Joshua Falls - Yeat) is a proposal to build a 115-mile line from Joshua Falls (this substation is to be expanded) in Campbell County, Virginia through to a new substation in Culpepper County, Virginia.  If built, approximately 2,788 acres of property will be taken for this line. This line impacts:

• 8 counties in Virginia - Campbell, Appomattox, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa Culpepper and Orange counties. 

If you are in Southern Virginia Contact your local  opposition group(s) : 

• Virginia Environmental Council  (Louisa and Fluvanna)
• Save Orange County 
• Friends Of Buckingham 
• Block Valley Link 

See the Valley Link South Project Site for open house schedules, maps and additional information. 

Valley Link North is  second much larger transmission line (261-miles, 765kV ) to serve the increased energy demands of data centers in Eastern Loudoun County's "Data Center Alley". It originates at the aging John Amos, coal fired generation plant, in West Virginia and terminates at a new substation (Rocky Point) in Frederick County,  Maryland.   A new pass-thru substation (Welton Springs) is also proposed in Hardy County, West Virginia, to support the voltage, which drops as a result of line losses on HVAC lines of this distance. It requires a new 200' easement along the entire route. If built, approximately 6,328 acres of property will be taken for this line. 

Valley Link North transmission line is proposed to traverse :

• 20 counties in West Virginia - Putnam, Kanawha, Roane, Calhoun, Braxton, Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, Tucker, Preston, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire and Jefferson, Harrison, Jackson, Gilmer, Doddridge, Randolph and  Hardy. There will be a new 765kV substation in Hardy County. The new substation is named Welton Springs
• 3 counties in Virginia - Clarke,  Frederick and Loudoun 
• 2 counties in Maryland - it crosses Garrett County and terminates in Frederick County, Maryland where it will terminate at a new substation (Rocky Point) south of the existing Doubs substation. 

 A 765kV line is the largest HVAC transmission line available. On top of that, the transmission companies proposal uses guyed V-lattice towers these can be as tall as 180' -200', and have 4 massive steel tie lines ancoring the lattice to the ground. These are possibly the foulest, most land use restrictive, intensive and invasive electric infrastructure available! 

This would cross north western Loudoun County for about 15 miles and will take a new 200 ft. wide easement within the vicinity of  the existing Mount Storm - Doubs transmission lines. It would take approximately 365 acres of property in Loudoun County alone - devastating private property owners!  

Valley Link North would also cross the Monongahela National Forest, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and it will run parallel down the view shed of the Potomac River . It will severely impact / destroy the scenic and historic value of these assets. 

This is the same area through Frederick,  Clarke and north western Loudoun counties in Virginia and Jefferson County, West Virginia that is the target of the proposed 500kV transmission line (MARL/Gore-Doubs-GooseCreek)   

The Valley Link North proposal is nearly identical to the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) project that was defeated in 2012. 

See the Valley Link North Project Site for  open house schedules, maps and additional information. 

Valley Link South (Joshua Falls - Yeat) is a proposal to build a 115-mile line from Joshua Falls (this substation is to be expanded) in Campbell County, Virginia through to a new substation in Culpepper County, Virginia.  It requires a new 200' easement along the entire route.  If built, approximately 2,788 acres of property will be taken for this line. This line impacts:

• 8 counties in Virginia - Campbell, Appomattox, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa Culpepper and Orange counties. 

A 765Kv line is the largest HVAC transmission line available. On top of that, the transmission companies proposal uses guyed V-lattice towers these can be as tall as 180' -200', and have 4 massive steel tie lines ancoring the lattice to the ground. These are possibly the foulest, most land use restrictive, intensive and invasive electric infrastructure available! 

If you are in Southern Virginia Contact your local  opposition group(s) : 

• Virginia Environmental Council  (Louisa and Fluvanna)
• Save Orange County 
• Friends Of Buckingham 
• Block Valley Link 

See the Valley Link South Project Site for  open house schedules, maps and additional information. 

Yes, transmission ROWs have a severe and negitive impact on the value of the property they occupy, as well as the properties within the view shed of the lines and towers.  

Transmission ROWS restrict any perment structure from being built as well as most temporary uses, as a result almost all by right useage of the land in the easement is curtailed. 

Uses disallowed include, but is not limited to, buildings, building extensions, building additions, or any portion of a building,  homes, offices, garages, dams, sheds, roof overhangs, gutters, balconies, decks, porches, and covered patios, playground equipment, dumpsters and trash receptacles, debris, scrap or waste materials, fill, spoil material, stumps, large boulders, concrete debris, asphalt debris, and construction debris, building materials, swimming pools, wells, septic tanks, drain fields (to include engineered systems), fuel tanks, and propane tanks, HVAC units, satellite dishes and television antennas, stored trailers, motor homes/recreational vehicles (RV’s), and inoperable vehicles, most watercraft, any type of fire or burning, solar panels; sprinkler systems (excluding drip systems), fire hydrants, retaining walls, storm water ponds, BMP’s, retention ponds, or any man-made pond.  

Making improvements to a property once an easement is taken entails getting permission from the utility owning the easement, which can then be denied.  In order to exercise by-right uses established in the zoning code of the property that one owns and pays property taxes on, you will first have to ask the utility.

For Company specific restrictions and guidelines see:

• FirstEnergy ROW Restrictions
• Dominion ROW Restrictions

Additionally,  the  HUD website titled Hazards & Nuisances: Overhead High Voltage Transmission Towers and Lines "The appraiser must indicate whether the dwelling or related property improvements is located within the easement serving a high-voltage transmission line, radio/TV transmission tower, cell phone tower, microwave relay dish or tower, or satellite dish (radio, TV cable, etc).

1. If the dwelling or related property improvement is located within such an easement, the DE Underwriter must obtain a letter from the owner or operator of the tower indicating that the dwelling and its related property improvements are not located within the tower's (engineered) fall distance in order to waive this requirement."

If your property is located in part or in full within the easement, you will have to contact the energy company to get permission to use the property in the easement which can be denied and you may have to do extra paperwork to qualify for a loan and could be refused. The ROW and structures on it could prevent potential buyers from qualifying for a loan to buy your property if you choose to sell.

Read More About Transmission Line Easements

The number one alternative is to use underground HVDC within the existing right of way or along highways.  For the PATH 765kV transmission line Black & Veatch did a study that proved HVDC underground was a feasible solution through our area. 

• See Underground-HVDC for more information on this technology,  
• Read about the November 4, 2025 Dominion proposal for an all underground 185 mile HVDC transmission line  that was approved by PJM in January of 2026
• Read the 2009 presentation on the Black & Veatch underground HVDC study for PATH

We want FirstEnergy to re-evaluate and build ONE underground HVDC solution for both transmission lines! 

Sign our petition for an underground HVDC solution for both MARL/Gore-Doubs-GooseCreek and the Valley Link North transmission lines.

Yes, the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from an HVAC transmission line are a concern to anyone living near them.  

Per Professor Martin Blank's testimony in the PATH 765Kv transmission case: “There can be no doubt that the proposed addition of the 765kV line to the existing 500kV line 138 kV lines would add to the level of EMF and thereby create additional potential risk. This would be contrary to the recommendations of the May 1999 NIEHS Report to Congress.”  

Note that HVDC transmission lines do not produce EMFs.

You can read Professor Blank's testimony and other articles on EMF's here:  Electromagnetic Fields

No, PJM has already moved the in-service date for MARL by three years and Dominion Energy has projected some data centers will need to wait up to 7 years to connect to the grid.  

The threat of brownouts and blackouts is just a scare tactic.  The need is purely economical and driven by  new data centers under construction and existing data centers that want to expand.  Additionally,  more data centers are being approved for development. The data centers estimate their energy use based on their business plans and submit energy requests to Dominion Energy.  

Those energy demand requests are used in PJM's forecasting and transmission planning.  The data centers may use less or more energy than they have requested (or they may pack up and leave town). 

If the transmission line is not built by the requested in-service date, the data centers will not be able to build out their business ventures on the timeline they have planned.

PJM is the Regional Transmission Organisation serving the approximately 65 Million electric customers in 13 states plus the District of Columbia. PJM's mandate is to oversee the safety, security and reliability of the transmission system within its region. 

PJM's service area includes all or parts of Delaware, Illinois,  Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia,  West Virginia, the District of Columbia, and, Pennsylvania,  New Jersey, and Maryland. 

PJM has no authority to commission the building of electric generation facilities, therefore the only solution to any "problem" identified by PJM will be transmission, even though building generation closer to the energy demand maybe a more economical solution. 

You can read more about PJM here: PJM Overview

FERC is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

FERC does not approve transmission lines. FERC approves cost allocation, incentive rates and recovery rates charged to consumers in the region of the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO).  

FERC's Mission is to assist consumers in obtaining reliable, safe, secure, and economically efficient energy services at a reasonable cost through appropriate regulatory and market means, and collaborative efforts. 

Read more about FERC at : FERC Overview

Ln nThe Maryland Office Of Peoples Council stated that Maryland Rate payers would be expected to pay $800M of the $6B PJM 2024 tramplan, of which Valley Link comprises $3B .st of the  Transmission lines, as well as the cost of the rest of the projects that PJM approved to bring base load power into eastern Loudoun County to  provide energy to the data centers.   

Since these lines are part of a regional transmission plan, the formula rate  and incentives for both of these lines and the others were approved by FERC.

According to the May 29, 2025 report "West Virginia Ratepayers footing the bill for infrastructure build out " by Cathy Kunkel  of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, West Virginian's rate payers will pay $400M for these two lines (MARL/Gore-Doubs-GooseCreek and Valley Link).  Other states have not individually assessed the cost of these projects for their rate payers.

Read the full report: "West Virginia ratepayers footing the bill for infrastructure build out "

The Maryland Office Of Peoples Council stated that Maryland Rate payers would be expected to pay $800M of the $6B cost of the PJM 2024 transmission expansion plan. $3B of PJM's 2024 transmission expansion plan is for the Valley Link portfolio.

Read the Maryland OPC Press Release here:  Maryland OPC Press Release Valley Link Incentive Rates

Read Who Pays For Data Center Extension Cords?

NO!!!  The Mid-Atlantic National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor was cancelled!

If any state denies the MARL / Gore-Doubs-Goose Creek (500kV) Transmission line or the Valley Link (765kV) transmission Line the Federal Government will not have the authority to site the transmission line and the transmission line will not be built!