Allegheny Power Files Formal TrAIL Power Line Route
On Friday, Allegheny Power filed its application to run the 500-megavolt power line known as TrAIL through our lovely communities.
The filing is huge — 656 pages. You can find it online at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/imaged_files/Docket/2007_03/dck20070330155749.pdf.
There is a vaguely defined map on page 656 of the filing.
Starting on page 637, there is a more specific description of how the line will cross West Virginia.
Hardy County starts on page 642. (See text below.)
Hampshire County starts on page 644. (See text below.)
You can find the Allegheny Power press release at www.aptrailinfo.com/downloads/West_Virginia_Filing_Release.pdf.
THIS IS NOT THE FINAL ROUTE.
THE FIGHT WILL GO ON TO STOP ALLEGHENY POWER AND TrAIL.
The following text is taken directly from the Allegheny Power filing. We have bolded some landmark terms to help people follow the route:
HARDY COUNTY
The proposed Line Route continues to the east across Patterson Creek Mountain, where, at the ridge top, the proposed Line Route crosses into Hardy County.
In Hardy County, the proposed Line Route continues to the east along the existing right-of-way crossing Never Ending Road adjacent to the existing right-of-way. Fish Hatchery Road is crossed at a point 1,200 feet west southwest of the intersection of this road and Old Fields Road.
East of Fish Hatchery Road, the proposed Line Route diverts to the north about 200 feet away from the existing right-of-way to cross Wisteria Lane and avoid two residences and a barn on the west side of Old Fields Road. After crossing Old Fields Road, the proposed Line Route returns to the adjacent alignment on the north side of the existing 500 kV right-of-way. The total length of this diversion is 4,100 feet.
US Highway 220 is crossed about 2.3 miles north of the Old Fields community area. Immediately east of the highway, the proposed Line Route crosses Reynolds Gap Road 1,000 feet north of the west end of Reynolds Gap.
Continuing along side the north edge of the existing right-of-way, the proposed Line Route crosses the southern reaches of Mill Creek Mountain and spans across the canyon of the South Branch of the Potomac River at a point about 2.8 miles northeast of Old Fields. East of the river the proposed Line Route continues alongside the existing 500 kV right-of-way across Sawmill Ridge and a narrow valley known locally as The Trough.
Trough Road is crossed about 1.6 miles north of the McNeill site. On the east side of Trough Road, the proposed Line Route enters the western slopes of South Branch Mountain and crosses local roads that provide access to residences in the area.
At the summit of South Branch Mountain, the proposed Line Route starts down the gradual east side of the mountain following the north side of the existing 500 kV right-of-way. The proposed Line Route crosses Mount Olive Road at a location 3,500 feet southwest of Mt. Olive Church.
East of the road, the proposed Line Route continues alongside the existing right-of-way crossing several small ridges and twice crossing an unnamed road 1,900 feet south of the Mt. Olive Church. Continuing eastward the proposed Line Route next crosses the North River and North River Road, about 3,000 feet north of the community of Inkerman.
The proposed Line Route continues to the east crossing various irregular ridges as the proposed Line Route passes through the south edge of the gap formed by the North River in Short Mountain. In this location the proposed Line Route is 1,800 feet south of Rock Oak and south of the North River and Ford Hill Road (Hardy County Highway 53).
The proposed Line Route crosses Needmore Road about 1,800 feet south of the North River and Water Lick Road about 1,000 feet south of the river. East of Water Lick Road, the proposed Line Route diverts away from the existing right-of-way to avoid a sawmill and several residences farther to the east along the existing right-of-way.
At a point 1.5 miles west of Rio, the proposed Line Route angles to the northeast away from the existing line and crosses Ford Hill Road at a location about 1.2 miles west of Rio and 1,500 feet west of the existing line crossing. The proposed Line Route crosses the North River a second time and passes into Hampshire County.
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
In Hampshire County, the proposed Line Route continues to the northeast, remaining north and west of the existing right-of-way at distances of approximately 1,100 to 1,800 feet.
About 2.0 miles northeast of Rio the proposed Line Route turns to the east and crosses North River Road (County Road 29) about 2,500 feet north of the crossing by the existing transmission line and 2.4 miles northeast of Rio. East of the road, the proposed Line Route crosses the North River a third time and passes about 1,000 feet north of a fish hatchery on an alignment about 1,500 feet north of the existing 500 kV right-of-way.
East of the fish hatchery the proposed Line Route continues to the east gradually returning to an alignment adjacent to the existing right-of-way, which is reached 1.46 miles east of North River Road. The total length of this diversion is 5.19 miles.
The proposed Line Route continues to the east adjacent to the existing right-of-way crossing North River Mountain and Baker Mountain. East of Baker Mountain, the proposed Line Route crosses State Highway 259 and the nearby Cacapon River, both 3,000 feet north of the community of Cacapon Lake.
The proposed Line Route next crosses Milk Way and Bucks Way adjacent to the existing right-of-way.
About 4,900 feet east of Milk Way, the proposed Line Route again diverges from the existing 500 kV transmission line this time to the east to avoid residences in the area.
The proposed Line Route crosses Back Creek Road 1,300 feet east of the crossing by the existing line and continues to the southeast passing to the east of the residences along Capon Woods Resort Road. The proposed Line Route rejoins the existing right-of-way 3,000 feet south of the south end of Capon Woods Resort Road. The total length of the diversion is 1.9 miles.
April 6th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I could continue to trace the path through Virginia, but I will spare everyone. Actually, we aren’t even sure as in VA Dominion has changed the proposed path of the transmission line likely in an attempt to quell opposition.
I work with Virginians for Sensible Energy Policies (VSEP) and I think we both agree that this proposal to construct a 500,000volt transmission line through our states is unnecessary and irresponsible. Despite repeated requests, Dominion refuses to provide any proof or studies regarding their claims that the increased capacity is needed. We all know the true intent of this plan is to import energy through WV and VA up to the Northeast corridor to increase profits. So we, the customers and residents, must bear the cost, seizure of property, destruction of our land to line the pockets of our power companies. Additionally, as we all know they are only paying lip service to exploring alternatives and seriously promoting conservation and increased efficiency.
Let’s keep the pressure up. Thanks.