Virginia Representative Frank Wolf (R-10th) has renewed his call for Virginia Governor Tim Kaine to establish an interstate compact with West Virginia and Pennsylvania to review plans that call for huge transmission power lines to be built across the three states.

In a letter to Kaine, Wolf urged the governor to form a compact "to take one final look at this project before it moves forward." Wolf made his initial request in September.

Under federal law (P.L. 109-58) an "interstate compact" of three or more states can join together to create a regional transmission siting agency that has the authority to review, certify and permit regional transmission facilities, Wolf said. If the states agree on a plan, this interstate compact would pre-empt federal authority.

"There is a window of opportunity to sit down and reevaluate the details before construction on this project begins as the (State Corporation Commission) is still waiting to receive the final orders from Pennsylvania and West Virginia," Wolf wrote. "It is my understanding that West Virginia's final order is still pending on several conditions. I encourage you to start a discussion with the governors from West Virginia and Pennsylvania to explore an interstate compact that would help to ensure that the best decisions for all parties are made and that no mistakes are made that cannot be undone.

"The lands that these transmission lines will cross in northern Virginia have significant historical, environmental, scenic and cultural value and millions of federal, state, local and private dollars have been spent to protect and preserve this area" Wolf continued. "Once this landscape is blemished by these huge transmission lines, there will be no turning back."