Grimm Krupa, Cook to Host Town Hall on Proposed Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link

February 18, 2026

SMITHFIELD – Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa (R-Fayette) and Bud Cook (R-Greene/Washington) will host a public town hall regarding the proposed Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link transmission line associated with NextEra Energy.

The town hall will be held Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6:30 p.m., at the Smithfield Borough Community Center, located at 14 Water St. in Smithfield.

The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate will be present to provide information, answer questions and hear concerns from the community regarding the planned transmission line and its impact on local properties.

“This project has very real, very immediate consequences for the landowners whose properties may be crossed by this transmission line,” said Grimm Krupa. “Families facing the possibility of easements or eminent domain action need clear information about their rights and the resources available to them.”

Grimm Krupa emphasized that the meeting is especially important for property owners who could be directly impacted, including farmland owners, homeowners, and small businesses, who may face long-term changes to their land use, property value and quality of life.

However, she stressed that the effects of the project extend well beyond the properties along the route.

“This is not just a local land issue; it is a statewide energy issue,” Grimm Krupa said. “Pennsylvania’s grid supply is already tightening. Reliability warnings have indicated potential brownouts and blackouts as early as next year if generation capacity continues to shrink.”

She raised concerns that expanding transmission capacity to move more electricity out of Pennsylvania could further strain in-state supply at a time when energy demand is rising and dispatchable generation is declining.

“If more Pennsylvania-generated power is exported out of state while our own reserve margins are shrinking, that puts additional pressure on our grid,” she said. “When supply tightens, prices rise. That means higher electric bills for families and businesses across our region.”

Cook echoed those concerns.

“Our first obligation should be to ensure reliable, affordable electricity for Pennsylvania residents,” Cook said. “Before we allow major transmission infrastructure that may benefit out-of-state markets, we need transparency and honest answers about how it affects our communities and ratepayers.”

The town hall will provide residents the opportunity to:

• Learn more about the proposed Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link.
• Understand their rights as property owners.
• Ask questions about eminent domain and land use impacts.
• Discuss grid reliability, regional supply concerns and electricity costs.
• Speak directly with their state legislators.

Grimm Krupa urged residents, whether directly impacted or concerned about rising energy costs, to attend.

“This is a pivotal moment,” she said. “If your property, your electric bill, or your community’s energy security matters to you, now is the time to get informed and engaged.”

RSVPs are requested but not required. Residents may register by calling 724-438-6100 or visiting RepGrimmKrupa.com/Events.

Representative Charity Grimm Krupa
51st District
Representative Bud Cook
50th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives