Introducing the Valley North Project

The Valley North Project will deliver approximately 260 miles of new 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines connecting Putnam County, West Virginia, to Frederick County, Maryland. The project also includes two new substations—one in Hardy County, West Virginia, and one in Frederick County, Maryland. This new infrastructure will bring electricity to where it’s needed most and unlock new opportunities for communities along the route.

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Meeting growing energy demand

Electric demand across the region is expected to double over the next decade, the fastest growth since the post-World War II era. This surge is driven by:

Population
growth

Expanding
industries

Power plant
retirements

Advanced
manufacturing

Strengthening the grid for the future

By investing in stronger, more resilient infrastructure, the Valley North Project will:

  • Deliver more reliable, affordable electricity to the places people depend on every day: homes, hospitals, schools and local businesses.
  • Increase capacity on existing power lines, reducing bottlenecks that can lead to service disruptions and outages.
  • Strengthen the resilience of the energy system, helping it withstand extreme weather and unexpected challenges.
View proposed structures in 3D

Benefits for local communities

Infrastructure investments like Valley North don’t just build power lines, they help power local economies. Research shows that every $1 invested can generate up to $1.50–$2.50 in broader economic activity, creating lasting value for communities. Communities along the project route will see meaningful, long-term benefits, including:

Hundreds of local
construction jobs

Increased spending at
restaurants, shops
and hotels

Higher local
tax revenues

Ongoing support for
essential services like
first responders,
libraries and
healthcare facilities

What’s next?

The Valley North Project team remains committed to listening to the people who live and work in the project area. The upcoming open houses will give residents the chance to review study segments, speak with project experts and share feedback that will help shape project decisions.

The final route for the project has not yet been selected and will be based on community input, extensive surveys and thorough study of environmental, cultural and historic resources.

After this summer’s open houses, the Valley North team will review all feedback, develop routes from the study segments and host a second series of open houses in late 2026 to further refine the project routes with additional community input.

Community voices: project benefits in action

Meet Jessica

She’s a lifelong resident of West Virginia and an Advanced Scientist at a local utility company.

West Virginia and its neighboring states feature some of the most stunning landscapes in the nation. As a West Virginia native and environmental scientist whose work spans Maryland and Virginia, Jessica brings a perspective shaped by both her deep connection to the region and her role supporting environmental initiatives at a local electric company. She understands the conversations happening around major grid upgrades – because as a resident, she’s asked many of the same questions about what projects like Valley North mean for families, communities and the places people care about most.

Click to learn more from Jessica and other community voices

Learn more

Valley North Transmission Line Project

Open house dates and locations

Attend any of the open houses closest to you. Doddridge County residents are encouraged to attend the open house in either Lewis or Gilmer counties. Residents of Randolph County are encouraged to attend the open house in either Tucker or Barbour counties.

23 in person options

Can’t make an open house?

We want to hear from community members and encourage you to share your thoughts. If you are unable to make an in-person open house, please leave comments using the GeoVoice tool above, or visit our virtual open house to explore all of the same topics we cover during in-person events.

View the virtual open house

Project Resources

Stay connected and informed with resources related to the Valley North Project. This section will serve as a hub for important materials, including in-person open house meetings, presentations and other helpful documents. Check back regularly for updates as the project progresses.