A significant controversy is unfolding in West Virginia as Del. S. Chris Anders, representing Berkeley County, has publicly declared his strong opposition to the proposed Mid-Atlantic Resilient Link (MARL) transmission line project. This project, which aims to power burgeoning data centers in Northern Virginia, has ignited a fierce debate over land rights, economic benefit, and state sovereignty.
The MARL project entails the construction of a substantial 105-mile-long, 500-kilovolt transmission line, slated to stretch from Pennsylvania through West Virginia, culminating in Frederick County, Virginia. Developed by NextEra Energy, this ambitious infrastructure initiative is designed to bolster the energy supply to Virginia’s growing technology sector, but at what cost to the Mountain State?
Del. Anders minced no words in his Saturday statement, condemning the project as an “immoral land grab dressed up as infrastructure.” He passionately argued that the initiative would forcibly acquire private property—including farms, homes, and forests—from West Virginians without directly serving their communities, but rather catering solely to the tech economy of Northern Virginia. Anders has formally urged the West Virginia Public Service Commission to reject NextEra Energy’s application outright.
Beyond the contentious issue of land acquisition, Anders highlighted a significant financial concern for Mountain State residents. He warned that despite offering no improvement to their lives or local power grid, the MARL project could saddle West Virginians with an additional $440 in new transmission costs, effectively making them subsidize an out-of-state venture.
The delegate further contextualized his opposition within West Virginia’s broader economic strategy. He pointed out that state lawmakers have been actively working to attract data centers and other industries to southern West Virginia, often through the development of natural gas and coal-fired microgrids. The proposed Virginia project, in Anders’ view, represents a direct competitor to these local economic development efforts.
Specific concerns for Jefferson and Berkeley counties were also raised, with Anders stressing that these regions would derive no tangible benefits from the project, only the potential burden of higher electric bills. This exacerbates the feeling among some residents that their land and resources are being exploited for external gain.
The chorus of opposition extends beyond Del. Anders. Other prominent West Virginia delegates, including David McCormick and Geno Chiarelli of Monongalia County, and Rick Hillenbrand of Hampshire County, have also voiced their strong disapproval of the transmission line project, forming a bipartisan front against its implementation.
Moreover, the opposition is gaining momentum at the local level and among environmental advocacy groups. County commissions in Monongalia, Preston, Hampshire, Jefferson, and Mineral counties have officially expressed their dissent. Joining them are notable environmental organizations such as the Piedmont Environmental Council and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, both based in Virginia, underscoring the broad spectrum of concerns related to this large-scale energy infrastructure.
According to the project’s official website, the MARL transmission line is currently navigating its “routing process,” during which qualified experts and third-party specialists are evaluating potential pathways and alternatives. The ambitious timeline anticipates construction to commence in the fall of 2029, with the completion of the project projected for the fall or winter of 2031, setting the stage for a prolonged battle over West Virginia’s energy future and land rights.
