As part of my job leading the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, I recently drove back from Washington, DC and was in awe of the breathtaking beauty of my home state as I traveled along Corridor H. While I prefer the colors of the fall season (as most of us do), the lush green countryside and faraway horizons from high elevation were a much-improved scenery compared to the concrete and oppressive heat of our nation’s capital.
That said, I did also notice large windmills, a coal-fired power plant, transmission lines, and cell towers. While these projects were visible as a new windmill was under construction, I would suggest it did not deter from the visuals that I enjoyed during my return trip. I can also understand why no one believes that this kind of energy infrastructure improves the beauty of the Mountain State. I have yet to hear anyone suggest, “You know what would make this hillside more beautiful? A giant transmission line.” But, at the same time, we enjoy and benefit from all the manmade infrastructure that I noticed while headed home, which made me question, “Can we have both? Can we grow infrastructure in West Virginia and preserve our natural beauty?”
In my opinion, West Virginia is headed in a disastrous direction where public opinion as well as the position of some of our elected officials is against investing in necessary infrastructure. Look at the facts. Every projection with or even without data centers being developed suggests that we will need more electricity in the very near future. If we do not build transmission lines, then building any new forms of electricity generation will not be able to transmit the electrons that are needed elsewhere. Additionally, new and expanded manufacturing will have to look elsewhere to have the necessary energy they need to make their product. And, while this obstruction may be the goal for some of us, the deployment of data centers of any size will not occur if we cannot connect them through new transmission lines.
Yes, our Association is supportive of transmission lines because of the critical connection to the growth of manufacturing and energy deployment, but I am also a proud West Virginian who tries to understand why other people oppose this development. We simply cannot have it both ways. If you want to grow our population and the economy here at home, these infrastructure investments must happen, but I believe that there is a general sentiment currently against all infrastructure development. While many of us are familiar with the acronym NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard), it seems to be overtaken by BANANA (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anybody). This blanket opposition concerns me, as I believe it will stymie our economy, further reduce our population by forcing West Virginians, especially our young people, to move elsewhere for new opportunities, and perpetuate our home state to remain in the bottom of most national rankings. I believe that we do need new roads, a more resilient and expanded energy grid, greater Broadband deployment, new forms of electricity generation, better water and sewer access, and an increase in good paying manufacturing jobs across West Virginia. But if we continue to say no to the necessary infrastructure, such as the manmade development that I saw on my way home from Washington, DC, none of this necessary growth will happen and West Virginia will stand still economically or worse, fall further behind.
But I get it. No one is suggesting that anyone wants a transmission line visible from the window of their house, but, without new transmission lines, we will prevent West Virginia from reaching its true economic potential. The choice is ours. And if you oppose these types of infrastructure investments, what is your plan? What do you suggest we do to grow West Viginia’s economy, create jobs, and provide opportunities that let West Virginians have a good way of life where they can feed their families and continue to call our state home.
Dr. Bill Bissett is the President of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, a statewide advocacy group that represents manufacturers as well as companies dependent on manufacturing for their livelihoods.
