Valley North Transmission Line Project Comments
I am opposed to the Valley North Transmission Line Project based on the following points:
The path goes directly to Loudin County, VA which has been referred to as the data center capital of the United States. West Virginia should not be expected to bear the impact of this project that serves another state with no real long-term benefit to the State of West Virginia.
FirstEnergy wants to increase West Virginia utility rates to help pay for the project with no real long-term benefit to the State of West Virginia. If Virginia needs more energy to service its data centers, then let the State of Virginia suffer the consequences itself for the additional energy projects.
The negative environmental impact to the following:
Slip Hill Mill Run, a Tier 3 native trout stream on Mullenax Road along Rt. 219 between Mackeyville/Wolf Run Roads and Tucker County High School
Big Run Bog, a National Natural Historic Landmark on Forest Road 18 near Olsen Tower
Overall effect on the view shed of the overall county due to the size of the line towers ranging in size from 150′ – 175′
The environmental impact of chemicals used to eliminate woody stems along the project path on a four-year cycle to eliminate woody growth and promote the growth of grass
Impact on endangered species such as the Virginia Big Eared Bat which inhabits the Monongahela National Forest
The deforestation of a section of the Monongahela National Forest. We have already lost too many of our trees in Tucker County to greed and mismanagement
The negative impact on the local tourist industry which is a major player in the local economy. Tourists come here to enjoy the beauty of our trees and forests, the cooler climate, to hike amongst the beauty of our county, snow ski, golf, fish, hunt, etc. Tourists do not want to come here to see ugly electric towers that obstruct the viewshed, or barren hills so this would have a negative impact on the local economy
The possibility of opening old mine voids and releasing acid mine draining into rivers, streams, and reservoirs in an effort to build base support structures for the electric line towers. Thomas alone sets on 9 abandoned deep mines. Douglas sets on at least 1 deep mine. Davis sets on at least 2 deep mines. Kempton, MD sets on at least 1 deep mine. Pierce sets on 2 deep mines. Benbush sets on at least 1 deep mine. Pendleton Creek between Thomas and Davis sets on abandoned mine voids and empties into the Blackwater Canyon, into the Blackwater River and eventually into the Cheat River. The Thomas reservoir and the Thomas dam which is going to be used as a backup water source both set on abandoned mine voids.
The massive clear cutting that would be required to clear the path from Putnam County, WV to Loudin County, Virginia for the transmission line.
I am also opposed to the forced taking or leasing of the land of private owners for this project. Many of those landowners who would be impacted by the project have had their lands in their families for multiple generations.
A question I have is just exactly how many acres and how many square miles of forestation would be lost in Tucker County individually, and in the State of West Virginia collectively in order to build the transmission line?
Yours,
Joseph Wilson Dumire
Thomas, WV