Allegheny Energy, Inc. and its Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Co. subsidiary continue to work toward obtaining West Virginia state regulators’ authorization to build a new 500-kV transmission line. Public comment hearings, scheduled to begin in Morgantown on Oct. 23, are an integral part of the open and thorough regulatory process.

Conducted by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC), these hearings are an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed line.

PJM Interconnection, an independent expert responsible for the reliability of the transmission grid, has determined that without the line, the stability of the grid and reliable flow of electricity within the PJM region cannot be reasonably assured. This could result in blackouts, voltage disruptions, and brownouts throughout the PJM region, including West Virginia and adjacent areas of Allegheny Power’s transmission zone, as soon as 2011. PJM is the regional grid operator for a 13-state area.

“Our nation’s top energy experts have called for new transmission lines to be built to prevent looming power reliability problems,” said David E. Flitman, President of Allegheny Power and Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company. “The U.S. Department of Energy, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and PJM all agree – something must be done now. Our TrAIL project will provide a timely solution to some of these problems.”

Allegheny is committed to working with landowners, neighboring residents, business owners and regulators to balance all interests in an effort to minimize land-use impacts.

In fact, Allegheny conducted 12 public open houses, including five in West Virginia, to show potential routes and collect comment. About 2,200 interested individuals attended these sessions, which were not required by law, but provided invaluable feedback to create the best possible route for the line.

“We have promised from the outset of the TrAIL project to be forthright and open with every aspect of this vital electric infrastructure upgrade,” Flitman said. “The Commission’s public comment hearings are a critical element of the rigorous approval process in West Virginia. We urge people to stay informed, keep an open mind and support a thorough, fair review of our plans by regulators.”

Regulatory commissions in Virginia and Pennsylvania have already conducted similar public hearings.

Technical witnesses will testify under oath during evidentiary hearings scheduled for early 2008 in West Virginia, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Evidentiary hearings are open to the public to attend.

While the line is critical to the ongoing reliability of the grid, there are other benefits to the West Virginia economy as well, which include:

• expanding markets for local coal;
• an estimated 700 jobs during the construction phase; and
• the potential for new generation projects, including clean-coal technologies.

The transmission line is targeted for completion in 2011, and will span Allegheny Power’s transmission zone from Southwestern Pennsylvania through West Virginia to Northern Virginia. Within West Virginia, the line will run about 114 miles, passing to the west of Morgantown in Monongalia County and traversing Preston, Tucker, Grant, Hardy and Hampshire counties before crossing into Virginia.

For a schedule of hearing locations and times, visit the PSC Web site at www.psc.state.wv.us. Learn more about TrAIL and see the full application with the PSC by visiting the project Web site at www.aptrailinfo.com.