West Virginia Citizens Against PATH

Good news! Read the Governors’ letter here.

From the NPS Newsletter:
The National Park Service (NPS), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are seeking public comment to help develop an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a project that would affect several national park system units and a national forest. Read more…

More on the upcoming meetings

On Monday, July 19, from 4-8 p.m., citizens opposed to the PATH transmission line are getting an opportunity to speak to representatives from the National
Park Service and U.S. Forest Service about the line’s impact on on our local national parks. This is the first of four open houses to get our input on the
environmental impact of PATH on federal lands.

As many of you know, PATH is proposed to cross Harpers Ferry National Park, the Appalachian Trail and the C & O Canal National Park with enlarged or completely new rights-of-way and towers up to 200 feet tall. As part of its approval process, a federal environmental impact statement must be prepared. These public events are intended to gather input from the public regarding the scope of the study which will be completed. This will be the most important event in the EIS process as it will determine the scope of the study, including area and impacts.

EVEN IF YOU DON’T SUBMIT INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS, SHOWING UP IS IMPORTANT!!

The open house will be at the Quality Inn on Route 340, on top of the mountain by Harpers Ferry, from 4-8 p.m. We need as many people as possible to show up – just attending IS participating, and it will help show these two federal agencies that we’re united in opposition to the project.

If you can’t make that open house, there are three more, all from 4-8 p.m.:

July 20, Loudoun Valley High School, Purcellville, VA
July 21, Tuscarora High School, Frederick, MD
July 22, Tucker County High School, between Parsons and Davis, WV

You can attend any – or all – of them, but in particular we’d really like you to set aside time to attend the first one here in our county, and let your voice be
heard regarding the devastating effects a project such as PATH will have on our local parks, environment and historical resources.

From StopPath Jefferson Co

Read Ken Ward’s blog from the WV Gazette
PATH: A brief update on the power line
June 18, 2010 by Ken Ward Jr.

It’s been a while since we had much discussion on Coal Tattoo about power lines, or about the huge PATH project … but today’s press announcement by Allegheny Energy and American Electric Power seems like a good opportunity for a quick update.

The news release just showed up in my e-mail inbox:

American Electric Power and Allegheny Energy, Inc. today announced that new studies by independent grid operator PJM Interconnection recommend construction of the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) as the most effective solution to address numerous electric reliability concerns forecast for the Mid-Atlantic region.

It goes on:

The latest analyses, conducted as part of PJM’s 2010 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP), are consistent with previous studies since 2007 identifying PATH as the preferred solution for resolving issues on the region’s transmission grid. Based on the findings announced today, PJM is directing that PATH be placed into service by June 1, 2015, at the latest.

What’s all that mean? The last time I really checked in on all this was back in December, when the power companies were in the midst of a flurry of regulatory filings to delay or halt hearings on PATH because of a new analysis that indicated the project wasn’t needed in 2014, as they had been arguing.

Well, our friend Bill Howley at The Power Line blog had a post last week titled, “The Latest from PJM on Path,” in which he told us:

PJM Interconnection’s Transmission Expansion Advisory Committee (TEAC) released a new power point presentation yesterday with additional information on PJM’s renewed case for PATH. This new report updates a similar report that TEAC made public two weeks ago.

The new report (surprise, surprise) includes new findings that would move the “base case” need for PATH back from 2017, as predicted in the earlier report, to 2015.

And guess what the power companies say in their new press release? That’s right:

The PATH project was evaluated against six alternatives and found to be the most comprehensive solution to resolve numerous voltage-related issues and line overloads that are projected to begin in mid-2015. Among the other alternatives examined, PATH is the recommended solution that resolves the majority of the projected reliability issues within PJM’s 15-year planning period.

The power companies also report:

Taking into account a thorough regulatory review as well as the time required to complete construction of the line, the PATH companies will continue to move forward quickly with the project. The new data will be incorporated into the existing applications for regulatory approval in Maryland and West Virginia, as well as in a new application to be filed in Virginia in the third quarter.

Remember that the West Virginia Public Service Commission already delayed its hearing on the PATH portions in our state until late 2010, and scheduled a final decision to be due by Feb. 24, 2011.

In that blog post I mentioned, Bill Howley suggests that everyone will need to take a very close look at these new PJM projections, and especially at the assumptions that go into them:

There are lots of pretty maps and spreadsheets in the TEAC power point, but if their underlying assumptions are wrong, then all these pretty pictures are meaningless.

And he reminds us what independent analysts found when they looked at PJM’s previous reports about PATH, quoting grid experts George Loehr and Hyde Merrill:

In my view, the Load Deliverability procedure used by PJM comes up with Capacity Emergency Transfer Objective (CETO) values that are unnecessarily high, and seems out of synch with what the rest of the industry is doing. There are better, more systematic and technically consistent ways to determine the import capabilities required by Load Deliverability Areas (LDAs) to maintain reliability.

• Without PATH, the capability of the Mid-Atlantic LDA to import power would still be in excess of 6,000 MW. In other words, with a 6,000 MW transfer into the Mid-Atlantic area, there would be no reliability violations. Not one.

• In my opinion, NERC violations have not been established since the base case assumptions are too conservative. So, too, are the CETO/Load Deliverability procedures.

Read Ken Ward’s blog from the WV Gazette

June 18, 2010
GOVERNOR APPOINTS RYAN PALMER TO PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION POST
Contact: Sara Payne Scarbro, 304-558-2000
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin today announced his appointment of Ryan B. Palmer, of Kanawha County, to serve as commissioner of the three-member West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) regulatory panel. Palmer succeeds Ed Staats, who completed his term at the commission June of last year, however, agreed to continue to serve until the governor selected a replacement. Palmer will start his term July 1, 2010.

Palmer has served as deputy general counsel to the governor since 2008. As a member of the governor’s legal staff, his responsibilities include: drafting legislation, advising the governor on pending legislation, serving as the governor’s designee on various boards and commissions, and researching a wide variety of legal issues.

Prior to joining the governor’s legal counsel, Palmer spent five years in Washington, D.C. as an attorney for the United States International Trade Commission (USITC). Palmer also worked for the United States District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, as a law clerk for Judge Craig Broadwater. From these experiences, Palmer gained a broad base of knowledge relating to industry practices and consumer issues.

“I want to thank Ed for his many years of public service and diligent work at the PSC. Ed graciously continued to serve as commissioner while I underwent the process of selecting an individual I felt would be most capable of moving the PSC forward,” said the governor.

Manchin noted that finding a replacement for Staats was not easy, but that Palmer brings new energy to the commission and is an excellent choice. “As a young family man, Ryan truly understands the struggles that West Virginia families face every day,” the governor said. “Ryan has truly been a great contributor to my legal team. He is an extremely hard worker and sound decision-maker. I am truly pleased that he has accepted this appointment. I am confident that he will bring a new dynamic to the Public Service Commission’s regulatory panel.”

Palmer received a bachelor’s degree in English from West Virginia University and a doctor of jurisprudence from WVU’s College of Law.
“I appreciate the governor’s confidence and I am eager to serve the citizens of our state in this new capacity,” Palmer said.

The Public Service Commission supervises and regulates the rates, services, operations and most other activities of all public utilities and many common and contract motor carriers passengers and property within West Virginia.

The commission comprises three members, appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Commissioners serve six-year staggered terms, with one term expiring July 1 of each odd numbered year. The current PSC regulatory members are Chairman Mike Albert and Commissioner Jon McKinney. Palmer will join the panel as the third member.
# # #

Because PATH right-of-way is to cross several Federal lands, the National Environmental Policy Act requires permits and additional studies to be done for those portions of the line. This is the notice requesting input for an Environmental Impact Statement being conducted by the National Park Service (and the Forest Service and Corps of Engineers). The first step in that process is to determine the scope of the EIS, the topics, issues, concerns that should be addressed in the study. This notice is a request for public input.

Please attend! Dates, times and locations of the “first round” of PATH EIS meetings:

All are from 4-8 PM
July 19th- Quality Inn, Harper’s Ferry
July 20th-Loudoun Valley HS, Purcellville, VA
July 21st-Tuscarora HS, Frrederick, MD
July 22nd-Tucker County HS, Davis

Because PATH right-of-way is to cross several Federal lands, the National Environmental Policy Act requires permits and additional studies to be done for those portions of the line. This is the notice requesting input for an Environmental Impact Statement being conducted by the National Park Service (and the Forest Service and Corps of Engineers). The first step in that process is to determine the scope of the EIS, the topics, issues, concerns that should be addressed in the study. This notice is a request for public input in that process. …. Read below for more detail.

Scoping process begins today (June 17, 2010)…..
public meetings to be held as well….

Dates and Meeting Notices: The public scoping period will commence on
the date this notice is published in the Federal Register and last for
at least 30 days or until 15 days after the last public scoping
meeting. The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service will hold
public meetings near the parks and forest to provide the public an
opportunity to review the proposal and project information, and provide
comments. All public meetings will be announced through local media,
mailings, and the NPS planning Web site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/
appa/ at least 15 days prior to each meeting. The meetings will be
concluded at least 15 days prior to the close of comment.

If you are opposed to PATH, please attend your local meetings.

WVPSC PATH case #09-0770-E-CN

COMMISSION ORDER
This order (i) further tolls the running of the statutory suspension period,
(ii) implements a new procedural schedule, (iii) approves a motion for protective treatment,
(iv) addresses right-of-way agent and land acquisition activities, (v) addresses various
discovery disputes, and (vi) denies the motion in limine.

Read the order here and visit The Power Line blog for more information.

• AEP and Allegheny Energy were forced to withdraw their application for a certificate of need in Virginia in December 2009 because PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission operator, reviewed its own figures and determined that PATH will not be needed by 2014 as power companies claimed.
  AEP and Allegheny Energy claim that they will re-apply in Virginia in the fall of 2010, but have offered no solid information about their plans.
• AEP and Allegheny Energy asked for two delays in the WV certificate of need case. The WV PSC has designated Feb. 24, 2011 as the deadline for its final decision, but the power companies have just requested a further extension until May 16, 2010. It appears likely that the WV PSC will grant this delay. Uncertainty surrounding the need for PATH may prompt more delays.
• In 2009, the MD PSC rejected the PATH application in MD. The MD PSC has not accepted a new application from the power companies. Although AEP and Allegheny Energy have attempted to file a new revised application to the MD PSC, the PSC has yet to accept it. The PSC has scheduled a hearing in June 2010 to hear arguments about whether it should accept the new application. There is no date set for any decision by the MD PSC on acceptance of an application in the PATH case, let alone the final decision on the application itself.
• The power companies’ claims that PATH is needed are being continually eroded as PJM Interconnection’s own demand management activities and new power plant construction reduce peak demand in the region, reducing AEP’s and Allegheny Energy’s claims concerning the need to move power from the Ohio River valley to the East Coast. Revised rates of projected power demand growth are now well below demand figures originally used to claim PATH was needed.

For more facts:
http://calhounpowerline.wordpress.com
http://stoppathwv.com/

The Journal
By Jenni Vincent

MARTINSBURG - The tone of discussion at Tuesday’s Electric Energy Forum quickly shifted when audience members were allowed to question guest speakers Susan Eisenhower and Mark Robinson.

That’s because several individuals who have been fighting the proposed Potomac Appalachian Transmission Highline, or PATH, not only questioned the need for it but other planned changes to the nation’s energy infrastructure.

Their comments came at the end of the session, which was sponsored by the Berkeley County Development Authority, the Eastern Panhandle Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Martinsburg and Berkeley County in partnership with West Virginians for Reliable Power.

Prior to the meeting, which was held at the Holiday Inn and attracted about 50 participants, organizer Bryan Brown, the state coordinator for West Virginians for Reliable Power, said no specific power projects such as PATH were on the agenda to be discussed.

As proposed, PATH is a 765-kilovolt multi-state power line that would directly impact some Jefferson County residents.

He said that statewide coalition has more than 120 different organizations including business trade associations, labor unions and individual businesses.

“We’re working to educate state residents and policy leaders on the need for and the benefits of improving our energy infrastructure in West Virginia. The major focus in the last two years has been on the need for improving our transmission infrastructure in the region and nationally. We’re not talking about PATH, we’re talking about power lines in general,” Brown said.

Brown said his group does not support or advocate for any individual project.

However, anti-PATH activist Keryn Newman said she had a hard time believing that either the organization or its leaders are not supporting the proposal.

Research had convinced her “it’s not an independent coalition,” Newman said prior to the meeting.

“So if PATH is paying for all of this and they’re telling us it’s an independent coalition, yet all the PATH costs are being put on the rate payers in 13 states, I feel they should do it under their own name if they want to do marketing and advertising. Sunshine is the best disinfectant, so I want this out in the open and I want them to admit that PATH is doing this,” Newman said

Read the entire article in the Journal