PSC hosts power line hearing

PSC hosts power line hearing

	Published : Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:50 By : Agencies Print this Story

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - State utility regulators fielded a few more favorable comments Thursday before wrapping up public hearings over a proposed multistate power line that would stretch across 114 miles of West Virginia.

The Public Service Commission expects to accept evidence in January addressing Allegheny Energy's quest to spend $1.3 billion building a 500-kilovolt, 240-mile transmission line between Washington County, Pa., and Loudoun County, Va.

The PSC expects to rule by mid-May on a request from the regional energy supplier's Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Co. subsidiary for permission to erect the line through Monongalia, Preston, Tucker, Grant, Hardy and Hampshire counties.

West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney, one of a half dozen speakers at Thursday's hearing, touted the benefits of expanded capacity to his industry.

'The lines are carrying all that they can, and demand is growing across the country,' he said. 'We in West Virginia need to take advantage of that demand. We need TrAIL and other lines. They are truly our electronic interstates, and they will put us ahead of other states.'

The National Wild Turkey Federation also sees value in improving the region's power grid, but wants to ensure that Allegheny properly manages the wildlife habitats that abut the line's proposed right of way, said Charles Nichols of its state chapter.

Howard Goodstein, an executive with the BFS Foods Co. regional convenience store chain in Morgantown, cited power shortages earlier this decade to support the project.

Other utility, industry and labor representatives similarly urged approval at a Wednesday public hearing. But the PSC has also heard from scores of opponents, including residents of the six counties who attended public meetings elsewhere last month. They and such allied groups as the Halleck Community Association contend the lines would not benefit West Virginians.

Other project foes include the governors of Pennsylvania and Virginia, who also disagree with Allegheny's argument that it can appeal any state-level denial of the needed permits and approvals to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin also rejects that interpretation of the U.S. Energy Policy Act, spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg said Thursday.

'He will oppose any attempt by the FERC to exercise such supposed authority,' Ramsburg said.

But Manchin has withheld judgment of the project, leaving the PSC to its role, she said.

'We are evaluating the potential impact the lines could have on the state,' Ramsburg said. 'If the project does move forward, the governor wants to ensure that West Virginians don't unfairly pay for a line that doesn't directly benefit them, that landowners who are affected are fairly compensated, and that the lines are minimally invasive.'

While not specifically commenting on the TrAIL plan, the business-labor coalition West Virginians for Reliable Power has emerged to push for new lines in the state.