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Virginia Supreme Court hears power-line case
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 16, 2009
The State Corporation Commission restricted its own efforts and did not act in the best interests of residents when it approved a multistate power line that would run through Northern Virginia, a lawyer for opponents of the project told the Virginia Supreme Court yesterday.
But attorneys for the SCC and the utilities behind the proposal argued that the commission considered many factors and acted within its broad discretion in approving the Virginia portion of the 500-kilovolt transmission line, which would run 265 miles from Washington County, Pa., to Virginia's Loudoun County. The line would cross northern West Virginia.
Opponents, including the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Power-Line Landowners Alliance and the counties of Fauquier, Prince William and Culpeper, want the court to send the case back to the SCC for further deliberations. A decision is likely in early November.
Patrick McSweeney, an attorney for the opponents, said the SCC acknowledged that the regulatory process was "tilted toward a transmission solution" because of limits imposed by federal statute or policy.
But he said nothing in the federal regulatory scheme prevents a more comprehensive examination, which is allowed under state law.
John Dudley, an attorney for the SCC, told the court that the commission examined generation and conservation alternatives to meeting demand but found them lacking. "Therefore, the line was the only option."
Dominion Virginia Power and Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Co., a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based Allegheny Energy Inc., say the high-voltage line is necessary to meet growing electricity demand in the region. Stephen Watts, an attorney for the utilities, said Northern Virginia could face rolling blackouts by summer 2011 if the line is not built.
Online at: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/bu...211408/293110/
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 16, 2009
The State Corporation Commission restricted its own efforts and did not act in the best interests of residents when it approved a multistate power line that would run through Northern Virginia, a lawyer for opponents of the project told the Virginia Supreme Court yesterday.
But attorneys for the SCC and the utilities behind the proposal argued that the commission considered many factors and acted within its broad discretion in approving the Virginia portion of the 500-kilovolt transmission line, which would run 265 miles from Washington County, Pa., to Virginia's Loudoun County. The line would cross northern West Virginia.
Opponents, including the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Power-Line Landowners Alliance and the counties of Fauquier, Prince William and Culpeper, want the court to send the case back to the SCC for further deliberations. A decision is likely in early November.
Patrick McSweeney, an attorney for the opponents, said the SCC acknowledged that the regulatory process was "tilted toward a transmission solution" because of limits imposed by federal statute or policy.
But he said nothing in the federal regulatory scheme prevents a more comprehensive examination, which is allowed under state law.
John Dudley, an attorney for the SCC, told the court that the commission examined generation and conservation alternatives to meeting demand but found them lacking. "Therefore, the line was the only option."
Dominion Virginia Power and Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Co., a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based Allegheny Energy Inc., say the high-voltage line is necessary to meet growing electricity demand in the region. Stephen Watts, an attorney for the utilities, said Northern Virginia could face rolling blackouts by summer 2011 if the line is not built.
Online at: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/bu...211408/293110/