Report from the CVC Chairman: We are Having an Impact
CVC Chairman Bill Golemon filed the following report in mid-July. We have been derelict in getting it on the Web site:
We have not been able to intervene at the WV PSC. I believe the cost was prohibitive, probably over $20,000 plus the cost of expert witnesses. The deadline is July 22. There are a dozen or more organizations and individuals who have filed already. I have suggested to some of them and to PEC that perhaps PEC could give them some advice or assistance for their appearance at the hearings.
The PSC was not able to find a suitable outside firm to do an Environmental Impact Study and will be doing their own with state assets. I don’t know the status of that. Perhaps one of you could call Caryn Short at the PSC (lead attorney on the case) and ask her. As of last week they were planning regional meetings probably in Sep or Oct, with the hearing in Oct or Nov. I have asked that one be held in Romney.
I attended a meeting in Preston County on July 9 called by their County Commission, similar to the one in Monongalia County earlier. Billy Jack Gregg, head of the PSC Consumer Advocate Division, spoke and answered questions. Over a dozen people spoke out very passionately in opposition to the power line(s) and the NIETC designation. There were two state Senators and two delegates who spoke in opposition. We (and many others) are making headway!
A group of legislators met with Governor Manchin, and he has since written a letter to DOE changing his position, somewhat, on NIETC (influenced also, I believe, by the meeting he had in Romney with CVC members on May 14).
(We will get a copy of that letter online soon.)
Numerous state legislators are on the bandwagon, and hopefully we can get some of ours to support their efforts. I believe a couple may be involved, Ruth Rowan and Sen. Walt Helmick, but I don’t know for sure.
I have asked our Commissioner, Steve Slonaker, to arrange a similar meeting in Hampshire County and invite Mr. Gregg, along with Hardy County and any other Commissioners, and all of our local state legislators. I hope this comes about.
The thing to do now is to write more protest letters to PSC, write, call and e-mail all state and federal legislators, Gov. Manchin, other appropriate state agencies and anyone else we can think of.
Manchin may call a special legislative session, and we should make every effort to get this on their agenda. The Pennsylvania legislature has done that, even testified in congress, Gov. Kaine and the Attorney General in VA have written to DOE opposing the NIETC designation, and we need to do that in WV.
We are having an impact!
Bill