Capon Valley Coalition

Our friend Joe writes:

Last night’s power line meeting was an eye opener, the War Memorial
Building was packed with standing room only in the lobby. I recognized about five people from River Ridge. There were two State officials Senator Clarke Barnes and Representative Stan Shaver, each of who are in opposition of the power line. Brie West from Piedmont Environmental Council in Virginia was also present and spoke in opposition as well. …

Mr. Billy Jack Gregg was very knowledgeable and direct as he answered
every question presented to him. The most important things he said
were;

• There will probably be open public hearings in October or
  November 2007 possibly in
  Moorefield and Romney to get the general publics opinion;
• Trail Co. needs to get a certificate from PSC to proceed;
• Now is the time to stand in opposition as once the certificate was issued there will be no recourse;
• If Trail Co. wants to survey your property they need
  your permission to gain access;
• Once the certificate is issued Trail Co. can basically take what ever property they need under Chapter 54 of West Virginia law (Eminent Domain);
• That his recommendation would be to increase the size of the existing power line along is original path to meet the needs.

The single most important thing he said was that AEP & Allegany Power have entered into agreement to construct the PATH transmission line and that it is expected to cross the Trail
Co. line in our area.

Giving the indication that this fight is just the first of many to come as all the transmission lines travel from west to east, and that in his opinion if the power companies agreed to increase the size of the lines without changing the existing route PSC would grant the certificate.

Based on the information that Senator Barnes and Representative
Shaver gave us the best practices to address this is to continue
writing letters, only you need to include the Governor and all of
West Virginia’s elected officials from both the House and the
Senate.

As those in the southwest portion of the state are in
support of the power lines and it means increased coal needs and
production. Letting them know of your opposition and that the state
shouldn’t rely on coal alone as a financial resource. So copy all
the Senators, Representatives and the Governor if at all possible fax
the letter to them and mail the original. This puts a copy in there
hand ASAP and is not massed with the other 8 million e-mails they get
a day.

Although they addressed Eminent Domain can’t be based on for
profit only, something that we all know is why the power companies
are doing, it’s one of the least won court battles especially if it
goes Federal.

So the fight we need to fight is now in West Virginia, as if the power companies don’t except the PSC certificate with their required recommendations or are not given the certificate at all then any progression would be in violation of state law. This also makes the argument for FERC in the Supreme Court either null and void or at least tougher fight.

One of the other things we learned is that based on the federal law
the power companies can make purchases that are reimbursed back to
them by consumer regardless if the transmission line is constructed
or not. One recommendation is to write FERC to oppose any purchase
of land and materials prior to the lines being approved by all three
states.

Lastly, one of the tactics that political groups use to draw
attention to the subject at hand is Freedom of Information (FOI)
requests, this has been know to be a valuable tool to gain knowledge
and information will slowing the progress of the entity involved.

Therefore, if you have already written letters, then send copies to PSC, the Governor and our other elected officials. If you haven’t written to PSC, yet then please do so copying the Governor and West Virginia State elected official. It might not even be a bad idea to start to include Federal Representatives and Congressman.

[Editor’s Note: The CVC “Take Action” page has all the addresses and other information you need to write your letters.]

We are still waiting for the definitive summary of what was asked and what was said in answer, but Ralph W. sends along these thoughts:

• Delegate Shaver suggested Governor Manchin now opposes the transmission line project.
• The public needs to contact the Governor and other representatives.

Regarding 1), I think it is important that the public hear this from the Governor himself. Regarding 2), Allegheny is involved in a media campaign in PA to try to win approval of the project. The Web site

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/email_list.cfm?body=S

has e-mail addresses for the PA state senators. This site

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/email_list.cfm?body=H

has contact information for PA delegates (but e-mail can only be sent through Web forms).

Ralph’s observations point out how this is an interstate issue. We CAN protest what goes on in another state when it affects us!

If you would rather write to Gov. Manchin and the West Virginia legislature, you can find all the info you need on our “Take Action” page.

The message from Wardensville is that YOUR VOICE COUNTS. MAKE IT HEARD.

For all those in the Capon Valley area who think that Allegheny Power’s TrAIL power line won’t affect you because your property is not in its path NOW, note that Allegheny can (and apparently will) change the route.

From the TimesWV.com Wednesday:

FAIRMONT — An alternate route has been created for Allegheny Power’s proposed Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line (TrAIL).

This 500,000-volt electric transmission line is designed to ensure reliability and connect electric substations in southwestern Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia.

The alternate route, called the Grafton Area Route, runs through a portion of Monongalia, Marion, Taylor and Preston counties. The initial proposed route cuts across Monongalia and Preston Counties.

The project is now in the hands of the Public Service Commission, and a series of public hearings will be held. Groups like the Halleck Community Association oppose the TrAIL project because of the impact they say it will have on the community.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s edition of the Times West Virginian or log on to www.timeswv.com.

UPDATE: The Sept. 12 issue of the Hampshire Review has a map and details of the altered route on pages 6D and 6E.