Hampshire County authorizes petition to intervene in NextEra’s Morrill Transmission Line case

Commissioners voted Feb. 10 to authorize President Brill to sign and file a petition for leave to intervene in the Morrill Transmission Line Project docket at the West Virginia Public Service Commission. Commissioner Manns said NextEra’s filing triggered a statutory window for local governments to intervene; filing would allow the county to call witnesses and gain access to filings that are not available to outside parties.

"If we choose not to file as an intervener, then we're going to be relegated to only those options that are available to outside parties," Commissioner Manns said, urging the commission to preserve options and the ability to present community concerns directly to the PSC. Commissioners emphasized that intervening does not commit the county to litigation or spending; it preserves the county’s choices later in the process.

The motion to authorize the president to sign the petition for leave to intervene in the Morrill Transmission Line Project passed by voice vote. County staff said they would coordinate necessary copies and formatting with clerk’s office procedures and with the county attorney.