Hello all,
I attended the public meeting on PATH (and TRAIL) last night in Shepherdstown.
It was very informative and I found it distressing that so few people know about it.
So, I'm passing on the word so more people are aware.
PATH is an acronym for Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Line. It is a joint venture between AEP and Allegeheny Energy to build new high-voltage interstate transmission lines through at least 20 counties in West Virginia.
The PATH project encompasses 244 miles of 765 kilovolt transmission from St. Albans, WV to Martinsburg, WV and an additional 46 miles of twin transmission towers from Martinsburg, WV to Kemptown, MD.
The PATH and TrAIL projects affect the following West Virginia counties: Barbour, Berkeley, Braxton, Calhoun, Gilmer, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jackson, Jefferson, Lewis, Mineral, Morgan, Pendelton, Preston, Putnam, Randolph, Roane, Tucker and Upshur Counties.
The routes will follow much of the same path most of the existing tranmission lines follow, but the plan expands the right-of-way of the lines (from 200 feet to 400 feet) and increases the height of the towers from 100 feet to 180 feet. It multiples the amount of electricity flowing through thoses lines as much 8 times!
43 homes would have to be razed and the routes affect an additional 203 residential properties. They affect a few businesses and shopping centers. It bisects parks and golf courses. The new power lines may interfere with the construction of a new elemetary school.
The reason for the project is to provide cheap coal energy from West Virginia to the Eastern Seaboard. None of the increased energy produced will improve the power grid of West Virginia! It all goes to Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington DC!
But to pay for the project, everyone's electric rates are going to go raised while the new power lines decrease the property values of the neighborhoods nearby.
I did not even address the potential environmental impacts involved with the project.
Here are a few links to help learn about the issue and how it impacts you.
Allegheny Energy Website on PATH:
PATH - Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline: Overview and Schedule (http://www.pathtransmission.com/overview/default.asp - broken link)
Business Wire Article:
Allegheny Energy, Inc. Headlines Powered by Business Wire
Journal Article on PATH:
Commission to oppose PATH project - Journal News
Allegheny Energy Website with Maps of Affected Communities:
PATH - Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline: Maps (http://www.pathtransmission.com/maps/default.asp - broken link)
WV Citizens Against Path:
WV Citizens Against PATH
Sierra Club Article on PATH and TrAIL:
Sierra Club Appeals TrAIL Decision, Plans ahead for PATH :: Sierra Club West Virginia