Despite all the evidence and testimony opposing the project, the PSC has granted Allegheny and TrAIL permission to blaze across our beautiful mountains.
A Message from the President of the Halleck Community Association, Don Corwin...
The Halleck Community Association has mixed feelings over the approval of TrAIL. While we are relieved that TrAIL is not passing through the heart of our community, we are disappointed that many of our fellow West Virginians may now be forced to surrender their property for a power line that serves out of state customers.
The facts of this case are clear. Allegheny chose West Virginia as their primary target for TrAIL approval knowing that our state has a poor record of protecting private property rights. The law states clearly that the PSC should only approve this line if it benefits West Virginians. Independent technical experts have testified that the only people who will benefit from this power line are those living Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersery. Allegheny was successful in swaying the PSC to their side by throwing money at the Governors and the PSC's pet projects.
The PSC has set a dangerous precedent with approval of TrAIL and we expect a substantial number of new power lines and power plants will be proposed. The future of West Virginia appears to be one of power lines and power plants from border to border. Our new slogan will be "West Virginia, Open for Exploitation".
Our group along with the other intervenors in this case will be reviewing the results in detail to determine any future course of action. Appeal to the State Supreme Court is an option for any effected party.
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WEST VIRGINIA CITIZENS OPPOSE
AP TrAILCo high voltage power lines...
yet the PSC approves TrAIL!!!!
SUMMER 2008 NEWS
The last hearing in front of the West Virginia Public Service Commission was held in Charleston on May 30, 2008. Pro se intervenors and attorneys representing parties to the case were allowed to participate in the hearing which was dedicated to the joint stipulation which promotes the Grafton Alternate Route. Members of the Triune/Halleck Community Association attended in a show of opposition to the stipulation, as did a number of individual intervenors.
In a surprise move, CPV Warren withdrew its opposition early in the proceedings, which undeniably took the wind out of the sails of the remaining opposition.
The final decision of the Commission is expected in August.
SPRING 2008 NEWS
In a mysterious move, the Public Service Commission has decided "not to decide" the fate of the TrAIL until August 2, 2008.
While TrAILCo has submitted NO ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE regarding the need for the line, they HAVE "sweetened the pot"
by promising not to charge ratepayers until 2014 (What will happen then?), offering to buy residences within
400 feet of the line (At whose perceived market value?), and offering to bring a number of jobs to the area (Will they also bring the PEOPLE to FILL those jobs?).
In our opinion, this does not even BEGIN to touch the area of "electrical need" for the line.
It blatantly shows, however, that West Virginia CAN be taken advantage of (again and again)... if the price is right and is presented to the "right" people.
We waged a gallant fight at the evidentiary hearings in Charleston and believe we presented an excellent case
to the WV Public Service Commission.
The commissioners APPEARED to be listening.
Even the PSC Staff argued that there was no need!
But NOW, after participating in closed door sessions (of which the Halleck group was not privy) the PSC Staff, the Consumer Advocate,
the West Virginia Energy Users Group, and TrAILCo, locked arm-in-arm, are proposing that the line be built in a more southerly route,
through the Grafton area!
Check out all of the maps!
Click here to view.
We suspect that there are MANY individuals along the new route who don't even know that their lives are going to be forever changed!
And, quite frankly, we don't know how to inform them! (Can YOU help?)
We DO know that letters may and SHOULD CONTINUE to be written.
Our legislators, the PSC, and the governor need to know that we are staying involved. (See: "What You Can Continue to Do" below)
WHAT YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DO
Voice your opposition.
YOUR letters make a difference. More "Trails" and "Paths" are being proposed! West Virginia will be CrissCrossed with lines if citizens don't take a stand! Politicians want your vote (and this IS an election year!)
and will listen if we join together and make our voices heard. Please CONTINUE to write the Public Service Commission,
Governor Manchin, your local delegates, and the US Department of Energy to express your opposition to further
exploitation of West Virginians.
Support the efforts of citizens of West Virginia through your financial contribution.
A small core of residents (many who will not be affected by the approved TrAIL route)
have been working hard to inform citizens.
We continue to need to gather the resources to "fight the
fight."
Waging this battle has not been cheap!
We hired expert witnesses and legal representation. All of that cost money.
For those of you who contributed to the cause...we thank you.
Without your contributions, we would have never been able to present the case of the people.
Unfortunately, it is not over and we continue to have to respond to the TrAIL "Spin Machine"...
a Spin Machine fueled by ratepayer dollars!
They are using OUR money to sell this idea to the public and the politicians.
Their pockets are DEEP... and are filled, unfortunately, with OUR MONEY!
If you have not already done so, please consider donating to our efforts! Click
here for instructions
to donate.
We thank you in advance for your donation!
BACKGROUND on the Project
Allegheny Power TrAILCo plans to run a massive 114 +-mile 500-kilovolt power line through West Virginia.
The original proposal would have gone through western Monongalia County communities, snaking into the Halleck area,
through the Laurel Run watershed and Preston County, and across northern West Virginia into northern Virginia.
The transmission towers will be up to 160-feet tall and the rights-of-way could be 200-feet wide. The earlier proposed line
crossed the Halleck Road in Monongalia County three (3) times. Just about every Halleck resident with a view would have been
able to see some portion of the line and towers. Now, the newly approved line takes a slightly southern route, still affecting western Mon County and traveling into Taylor. The lines will be engineered to be capable of carrying twice the power of a normal 500kv line.
This power line is being built to supply electricity to the growing suburbs of the greater Washington, DC metropolis.
The State of West Virginia (not to mention our local community) will receive minimal power from this line.
Once the line is built and all the costs are compiled, Allegheny will ask the PSC to increase YOUR electric rates
to pay for this power line. It is likely YOU will pay for a power line that provides very little, if any, benefit to you.
Having a power line of this size next to your home and in your community is not only unsightly, it will dramatically
reduce the value of your property. Public perception of health risks and the inability to use the 200-foot right of way will
lower the value of your property. Incredibly, you will most likely continue to pay the same amount of property taxes.
Once the towers and lines are in place, they will stay forever. The scars on our beautiful West Virginia landscape
will never be healed.
If you don't act, you will have to explain your lack of action to your children and grandchildren.
Be aware that you are not required to provide access to your property at any time for any reason and Allegheny
has no right to enter without your permission.
You are within your rights to refuse access to them or their contractors.
AND you do NOT have to sell your Right-of-Way!
Do NOT believe that the danger of a Power Line going through our area is over!
If enough owners give the Right-of-Way to Allegheny or TrAILCo, it will not be long before the next project is on our doorsteps.
(The Halleck Community Association has contacted the Monongalia County Sheriff's office and
they advise you to contact them should anyone trespass or attempt to gain access to your property by giving false information.
We ALSO request that you contact us to report these incidents.
Please pass this important information along to your neighbors,
especially those seniors and those who do not have Internet access.)
Before accepting or signing any agreement, residents are urged to contact an attorney, an appraiser or local realtor or other
property owners who are informed about the line to learn more about your rights. If you grant them right-of-way, it will be
in perpetuity and will devalue your property forever.
