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Opposition to TrAILCo Power Line
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by Jim Kotcon | 2007

The Chapter's Energy Committee works on the proposed new Power Line and needs your help!

Energy committee members have been communicating with groups formed in opposition to the Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line and attending hearings on the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) in preparation for filing a petition to intervene with the WV Public Service Commission.

Top Seven Reasons to Deny the Certificate of Need for the TrAILCo Allegheny Power Line

1. Significant Environmental Impacts Exist
Allegheny’s application states that no significant environmental impacts are expected, which is ludicrous.

2. The transmission line offers no benefits to WV customers

4. Better alternatives exist to relieve transmission congestion
Numerous independent experts have concluded that energy conservation could reduce demand more quickly, more cheaply, and more safely than construction of new capacity.

5. The transmission line is a bad investment, and would increase emission of greenhouse gases indefinitely
Virtually all of Allegheny’s electricity generation is from coal-fired power plants. Making bad investments in fossil-fuel capacity now is a major step in the wrong direction, and is the most expensive approach to reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases.

6. The transmission line would take private property solely for the benefit of another private company
Many landowners along the route, those directly crossed by the line and those nearby, would suffer a loss of property value. In many cases, the compensation offered would not fully offset the perceived loss of value to the local property owners.

7. The transmission line would support increased emissions of air pollution, resulting in adverse health effects on West Virginia residents
Allegheny’s power plants are among the largest emitters of sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and mercury in West Virginia. Our  air already exceeds EPA health standards in many areas. Increased generation resulting from this line would make the air worse.

We will need to be active and coordinated on the state, regional and federal level to be effective in opposing the powerline. Check our website at www.westvirginia.sierraclub.org or contact Jim Kotcon or Paul Wilson for more information.