Frederick, MD (JK) – Frederick County residents have an opportunity to weigh in on a major electric transmission project that would end near Point of Rocks.
PJM Interconnection says growing electricity demand—driven largely by Northern Virginia’s expanding data center industry and population growth—requires additional transmission capacity by 2035. The proposed Valley North Project would build about 260 miles of new 765-kilovolt transmission line from Putnam County, West Virginia, to a substation near Point of Rocks. The line would be capable of delivering enough electricity to power the equivalent of about two million homes.
The project website is at https://vltransmission.com/valley-north
Valley Link Transmission Company, a partnership of Dominion Energy, FirstEnergy Transmission and Transource Energy, is holding community meetings across West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland as it studies possible routes. An open house was recently held in Brunswick, with additional meetings continuing this summer in Loudoun, Clarke, Jefferson and Berkeley counties.
No final route has been selected. Project planners are evaluating multiple corridors, including routes that could parallel existing transmission lines where possible.
Residents have expressed mixed opinions. Some support the project to improve electric reliability, while others are concerned about potential impacts on farmland, scenic views, the environment and private property.
Project officials encourage residents to review maps and submit comments as the route-selection process continues. A second round of public meetings is expected later this year before a preferred route is announced.
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