Capon Valley Coalition

If Dominion Virginia Power officials think they have eased opposition to electric transmission corridors in the region by diverting a planned line from northern Fauquier County to a new route that dips into Rappahannock County, they have another thing coming. More than 50 people crammed into the Rappahannock County Library on Monday to organize opposition to Dominion’s proposal to cut an additional 500,000-volt electric transmission corridor next to an existing string of power lines in the eastern part of the county.

Concerned citizens, environmental activists and county officials turned out to the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection’s monthly meeting in search of answers about the power company’s proposal and strategies that could prevent it from being built.

Read the entire story here.

CVC member Bill Golemon filed this report from Tuesday’s meeting of the Hardy County Commissioners:

Members of the Capon Valley Coalition joined others at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Hardy County Commission in Moorefield to urge the Commissioners to pass a resolution opposing the proposed Allegheny Power Line. (We have received a copy of the resolution passed by the Hampshire County Commissioners and will get the text up on the Web site soon.)

H.J. Wratchford of Moorefield, a long-time Hardy County resident and landowner, graciously agreed to share his allotted time on the docket for our support in his opposition to the power line.

Mr. Wratchford presented a detailed analysis of the potential economic loss to the county in tax revenues, comparing taxes presently paid by AP to the potential tax value of the land in the rapidly developing county. [Based on rights-of-way and buffer zones along 19.46 miles of power line through the county, he estimates the loss of between $179,600 and $446,620 in taxes if the power line goes through.]

CVC Chairman Mitch Story gave a very strong presention on the background and potential impact of the power line and the NIETC proposal, and Bill Golemon spoke on the efforts the CVC is making and the strong opposition in Northern Virginia and the political support it is receiving.

Grady Bradfield and several other Hardy County landowners voiced their strong opposition to thepower line and made it clear that they expected the Commissioners to oppose the power line or be held accountable in the next election.

The Commission “took it under advisement” and say they would have a response by March 6. It was a compelling presentation, and the feeling of those who know the Commissioners is that they will support our position with a resolution. The meeting with covered by the Moorefield Examiner.

Meeting with Sen. Byrd

Meanwhile, a delegation of CVC members will meet in Washington Friday (Feb. 23) with Sen. Robert Byrd’s staff to convey the same message of opposition and expectation that the senator will support CVC.

We will keep you posted.