Capon Valley Coalition

The Hampshire Review reported in its May 21 issue:

ROMNEY — Evidently, Allegheny Energy does not want to pay Hampshire County building permit fees for the massive power line towers that could be constructed in the county as part of the Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line (TrAIL) high-voltage power line project.

Allegheny Energy recently informed the county planning office the company has never been required to pay building permit fees for power line towers.

Hampshire County Commission President Donald P. Cookman said he wants Allegheny Energy to show good cause why they shouldn’t pay the building permit fees.

Cookman said Allegheny Energy needs to document some type of “legal authority” to show why they believe they don’t have to pay the fee.

Commissioner Steve Slonaker highlighted what he observed as the irony of Allegheny Energy’s position.

Slonaker said the property owners in the county who face the prospect of having the Allegheny Energy towers constructed on their property have to pay building permit fees if they undertake any new construction on their property.

“So, why should the power company put a tower on that Hampshire County property owner’s land and not have to get a building permit and pay the fee,” Slonaker said.

Get the complete story in this week’s Review!