Over 80 residents packed into the old courtroom at the Tucker County Courthouse July 22 to address the Tucker County Commission over issues related to the Valley North Transmission Project power line and the proposed Ridgeline power plant project.
Tucker County resident Jeremy Hile spoke on both projects, as the proposed power line project would not only negatively impact his property and thanked the Commission for the stand against it, but he was one of the few residents in Tucker County for the Ridgeline project willing to speak out.
“I am one of the residents of this County that is for the Ridgeline project. I’ve done a lot of homework. I’ve talked to a lot of people. I don’t take it lightly. My family’s been in Tucker County since the mid 1800’s. I’ve been on the same piece of property that my family has farmed since 1910. Fifth generation farmer. I come from a strong farming background, both sides of my family. The company has passed the air quality, they have answered the questions for how they are going to do the water situation. They can find water that needs treated anyhow, put it back out clean…everybody ask questions, with an open mind. I started in the process not knowing which way to lean, either.” – Jeremy Hile
Hile went on to say that Tucker County needed industry. He said that he felt that if the company followed the rules set forth for them in the regulations, “it was none of his business” and in the end, it was a matter of private property. He said he felt Fundamental Data was not asking for “a hand out” or tax breaks. The project, Hile said, would bring in much needed tax revenue “in order to take care of our tourists.” Hile said the tax revenue from the project would fund EMS, fire and law enforcement, as well as the schools.
“Tucker Valley raised money for three years just to get bleachers replaced just because there’s not enough money here,” Hile said. “My daughter runs track in this county. We don’t have track at the high school or the middle school level. They run Elkins once a week during track season and practice because we don’t have track. We can’t have track because of the financial situation.”
Several community members read out a listing of names and comments opposing the Ridgeline project. The list was assembled from longtime resident families. Organizer Natalie Boyland said it came as a result of a request from Tucker County Commission President Mike Rosenau following an email exchange between the two. Boyland said Rosenau had requested a list of longtime residents opposed to the project. Boyland then organized the questionnaire, which was read aloud and left for the Commission.
Other community members such as Olivia Miller spoke about their fears for the future should the Ridgeline project proceed. Miller said she feared for her grandmother’s health should the project proceed. She said the project planned to build not just one natural gas power plant, but two “at the top of the mountain.”
“I understand the need for tax money and revenue and solid infrastructure for our community,” Miller said. “We need that, but we do not get that by repeating the mistakes of the past and subjecting our community to this pollution.”
Diane Vera described Ridgeline as a “land grab” and equated those behind the project to the Prime Minister of Israel, Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump.
“This is a land grab,” Vera said. “It’s not right. These men that are doing this are war criminals.”
Tucker County Commission President Mike Rosenau commented following Vera’s speech, “I just want you to know that I have lived here my whole life also. No one loves this County more than I do,” Rosenau said. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
Judy Rodd spoke about the public informational meeting in Davis held by representatives from Fundamental Data. She brought up points such as the company’s future plans for a nuclear facility in Grant County, the sale of “a concept” and no registered sale or lease of land for the project.
“That land has never been sold or leased, so when they got their Air Quality Permit, they lied about ownership on that permit,” Rodd said.
