State Public Service Commission prepares for lengthy hearing on proposed high voltage power line (WV Public Broadcasting)
WV Public Broadcasting reported yesterday:
State Public Service Commission prepares for lengthy hearing on proposed high voltage power line
By Cecelia Mason
Here is the transcript of the report. You can listen to the report on the WV Public Broadcasting Web site.
Studio lead: The state Public Service Commission will spend most of
the next two weeks trying to determine whether to approve a high
voltage power line across north central West Virginia. Allegheny Power
in partnership with Virginia’s Dominion Power wants to build the line
to bring more power to the eastern U-S. Cecelia Mason has more:Mason: The Trans Allegheny Interstate Line would cross six West
Virginia counties on its 114 mile journey linking southwestern
Pennsylvania to northern Virginia. The state P-S-C will begin 10 days of hearings Wednesday to determine whether the line is necessary. P-S-C spokeswoman Sarah Robertson says the witness list is lengthy:Robertson: Obviously there are several witnesses for the company, for
TRAILCo. There are several pro se interveners which like I said are
citizens who have a vested interest in the case. There are witnesses
from the Sierra Club, CPV Warren, Consumer Advocates Division,
homeowners groups.Mason: Allegheny Power subsidiary TRAILCo applied last March for
permission to build the power lines. Since then the P-S-C has
conducted a dozen hearings in six different cities so the public could
comment. Robertson says the list of concerns is long:Robertson: It goes from people not wanting it to be on their property.
There are environmental concerns. They have medical concerns. What is
the high voltage power line going to do to their land, the animals, the
run off. There are just so many concerns that these interveners have.Mason: Consultants and Public Service Commission staff have also
expressed concern. They are recommending the Commission not approve
the line. Robertson says despite the staff and consultant’s
recommendation, the Commission could still approve
it.Robertson: The Commission will have to decide whether it’s in the
public’s convenience and necessity to have this power line put in. Is
it needed? Is it convenient? Is it necessary? These are the things
that the Commission has to look at. And we’re not talking about 20
people. We’re talking about the northern part of the state.Mason: The big picture is some are saying it is necessary for the
power grid on the east coast. Does this Commission think about that or
are they only concerned with whether it’s necessary for West Virginia?
Robertson: Obviously the Commission is charged with, concerning itself
with the needs of the people of West Virginia. It will look at whether
its needed for the power grid. Whether that will come into its final
decision making process is yet to be seen.Mason: Robertson says the TRAILCo hearing begins Wednesday morning at P-S-C headquarters in Charleston. The Commission will hear testimony
through Saturday and will continue the hearing next week, Monday through
Saturday. For West Virginia Public Broadcasting I’m Cecelia Mason in
Shepherdstown.