Hampshire Review Publishes Supporter’s Letter
A supporter of the Coalition wrote the following letter to the editor of The Hampshire Review. It appears in the January 17 issue.
The Allegheny Power Company is partnering with the “PJM Interconnection” to condemn land through much of West Virginia and is planning to build a huge power line across Hardy and Hampshire counties. They will seek eminent domain from the Federal government to seize easement right of way from property owners. Except for a Hampshire Review article on December 6th reporting a meeting in Wardensville, I have not seen any mention of this issue. The proposed routes go through Hampshire County, Hardy County, near Wardensville, Capon Springs, and Yellow Spring.
Concerned residents have recently formed a Capon Valley Coalition to try to stop this tremendous assault on our environment, property rights and land values. The Coalition is seeking to contact elected officials in the County, State and Federal governments to gain support in combating this proposal, and needs the support of concerned citizens and organizations. The website is http://caponvalleycoalition.wordpress.com It contains letters and petitions.
The power line is described as a 240 mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line from Pennsylvania through Mount Storm into Virginia. It is referred to as the “Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line (TrAIL)”. The proposed towers will be up to 175 feet high, the height of twelve-to-fifteen story buildings! The right of way will be more than 150 feet. The stated purpose of these lines is to transmit electrical power to meet the demands of Northern Virginia, and they do not benefit West Virginia. This energy may also be designated for cities in the northeast in New Jersey and Delaware.
These power lines would be an environmental disaster. Piedmont Environmental Council has a very strong effort to stop the power lines in Virginia. They are working with many organizations and professional energy experts, and have the support of Senator Warner and Congressmen Wolfe and Davis. The PEC has determined that the power companies have not made the case that this power line is needed, and that Virginia does not need it. More reasonable, less harmful alternatives would be to improve existing lines, and build small power plants where the power demand is, using new, cleaner technology, and not do great harm to our environment.
The West Virginia State legislature is in session until March 10th. Allegheny Power will file their application with the state Public Service Commission as early as April. Those concerned about this issue should learn the facts and notify their representatives of their concerns immediately. More information and contact information is available on the Capon Valley Coalition web page.
William Golemon, Yellow Spring, WV