Menu:

 
It seems that Dominion's Alternative One is making PATH very nervous, as it rightly should.  Their lobbyists have been hard at work ever since we left Charleston 2 weeks ago, trying to kill House Concurrent Resolution 58.  This resolution has a tremendous amount of support from legislators, so PATH's only hope is to kill it in committee.

First they said Res. 58 was "misleading the public".

When that didn't work, they said PATH would provide jobs.

When that didn't work, it's rumored that they resorted to threatening to withhold their corporate "stewardship" (don't laugh... PATH is serious about this vapid phrase!) from the campaign coffers of legislators running for Governor, including the chairman of the committee where HCR 58 languishes.  See this post on TPL.

Guess what, PATH?  You can't vote!  Hahahahahah!


4 Comments
 
 
Power company lobbyists are telling legislators that HCR 58 "misleads the public".  People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

1.  Dominion Virginia Power, described as: "Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of more than 27,600 megawatts of generation, 12,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,000 miles of electric transmission lines", has proposed a workable alternative to the PATH project.  This isn't some fantasy dreamed up overnight, but a viable plan put forth by an experienced energy corporation.

2.  According to Dominion, the cost of rebuilding existing lines is reimbursed to the power company at dollar-for-dollar.  Allegheny Energy & AEP's PATH project earns them a 14.3% return on equity.  Follow the money -- this is why Allegheny & AEP keep insisting that we need PATH in addition to Dominion's rebuild of Mt. Storm - Doubs.  AEP & Allegheny don't want to miss out on their opportunity for a new profit center with PATH.

3.  AEP & Allegheny continually point to PJM Interconnection as the impartial electrical diety who "ordered them to build PATH".  PJM Interconnection, a cartel of electric companies, has recently had their credibility called into question by state regulatory experts in seven states and the District of Columbia.  Read about PJM's credibility problems here, here and here.

In the end, it all boils down to the almighty dollar.  It's about what benefits two out-of-state energy corporations and not about what's best for the citizens and ratepayers of West Virginia.  Your support of HCR 58 will demonstrate your commitment to West Virginians.
1 Comment
 
 
Five members of StopPATH WV, Inc. traveled to Charleston this week to participate in the West Virginia Environmental Council's "E-Day" grassroots lobbying events and annual benefit dinner.  Steve, Debbie, Robin, Patience and Keryn were met in Charleston by Bill Howley (The Power Line) of Calhoun County. 

In between meetings with our Jefferson County delegates and senator, we staffed a table at the E-Day exhibits area in the rotunda.  The folks who stopped by our table were astonished to hear that a viable alternative to PATH has been proposed by Dominion Virginia Power that costs 1/3 the price of PATH, needs no additional rights-of-way, and can be completed faster than PATH.  This alternative is Dominion's Alternative One.  Everyone was overwhelmingly in favor of this sensible, economic alternative that will provide West Virginia with a secure, updated electrical transmission system by simply rebuilding aged, existing transmission lines with the latest technology.

Our legislators were also impressed with this concept, and House Concurrent Resolution 58 was introduced.  Briefly, the Resolution, ""...urge[s] the West Virginia Public Service Commission to halt all consideration of the PATH application currently before it, and move rapidly to approve the reconstruction/rebuilding of Monongahela Power's Pruntytown to Mt. Storm 500kV transmission line, completing the majority of the Dominion alternative to PATH which is in the best interests of West Virginia electrical customers and citizens."

Governor Tomblin was also surprised to hear all about Alternative One when we met with him.

Now is the time to contact your representatives to ask for their support for this Resolution!  If you need direction in this area, please contact us!

Allegheny's paid lobbyists are telling legislators that Resolution 58 is "misleading the public."  Funny, coming from someone who is paid to mislead the public, but if that's what you've heard, please see this article which backs up the facts in Res. 58.

In the evening, we attended WVEC's E-Day Benefit and Award Dinner.  I was honored to receive the Laura Foreman Grassroots Activism Award, presented to me by Patience Wait, as a board member of WVEC.  Patience gave a great intro. that more closely resembled a roast where she brought up some of the more entertaining moments we've had in this fight.  While I am honored to receive this award, it is most properly shared with ALL the PATH opponents in three states who have stood up to two huge corporations and government on all levels and done their best to fight for what is right.  No matter what crazy idea I think up, there's always one or more of you who jump right in with encouragement and full participation so this award rightfully belongs to all of us.  Ali Haverty was individually recognized for all her hard work on the FERC challenge -- no small feat!  I have met and befriended so many wonderful people in the nearly three years I've been involved in this fight and no matter what we face together, we rise to the occasion and persevere until we are victorious!

And now Dominion's Alternative One has been handed to us for use as the silver bullet.  Lock and load, folks!
10 Comments
 
 
This report comes from WV intervenor Tim Higgins from Upshur County.  It seems that Tim showed up at our beloved Senator Manchin's "Call for Common Sense" tour this morning and laid in wait for his turn to address the Senator.  Allegheny Energy staff lobbyist Charlie Friddle tried to interrupt and take over, and our pal Joe pretended like he didn't know anything about PATH.  Really, Joe?  Do I have to post that ridiculous picture I received from you after we educated you at a hotel room in Charles Town last year, just to prove you're full of crap?  Anyhow, Tim challenges the rest of you WV citizens to pick up where he left off and attend one of Joe's tour events.  His groupie, Charlie, will be there, won't you?  Tim tells me that today's event was the first, the ones earlier this week were postponed due to snow, so there's lots more tour dates coming up.  Keep track of Joe's tour schedule here.  And now I turn it over to Tim:

Hi everyone,

Since I proposed this thought early enough today so I could get to Elkins by 10:30am, off I went! A google search directed me to the Wood tech center in Elkins, the only give away that Manchin was around
were the 2 state police cars. The one end of the building with the same address did not even know that Senator Manchin was in the other end of the building. No security but the 2 police officers. I bring this up for one reason. At least in Senator Manchin tours he will use low profile sites to do these town hall meetings. This one was in the Elkins industrial park. Total capacity for the room was less the 80 people and it was well attended. The link above will give you a starting place to find out where he will be next.

Now for the meat of the meeting:

After an intro from someone connected to the center, the senator gave a brief take on INSIDE Washington, telling us that he is renting a small apartment and plans to be in WV whenever possible to listen to what we are concerned about. Saying "Expect many more meetings like this one, I'm here to listen to what you have to say this is a common sense tour and West Virginans have common sense". He then went on to blast the FEDERAL EPA for pulling the clean water permit for spruce.

After an hour or so I finally got his attention. I asked that given the fact that HIS APPOINTED PSC commissioners had approved the Mt Storm to Doubs 500kv rebuild that would all but eliminate the need for PATH and the the WVPSC only need approved the
Pruntytown to Mt. Storm section to satisfy almost all of PJM's load forcasts would he be in favor of that?
His reply:
I thought PATH was dead.
That's when Charlie Friddle jumped from his seat saying that the rebuild was not to replace PATH but to add to reliability.  I came back with Charlie, you need to read the PSC docket for the last 10 days or so and see the Dominon is calling this rebuild Alternate 1 for a reason, Manchin broke in and started to talk about the deal he had brokered with TraIL. In the end Manchin made sure I got together with his staff members so my concerns would be "noted".  Was it worth the trip from Buckhannon to Elkins? I think so, now it up to all of us to follow anyone running for Govenor to
do the same thing.

What to do:

Do a google search on anyone running for governor, find out where they will be speaking and get there to make it clear WV citizens support Alternative 1 --- do you? keep after them till they agree it's a better solution.
Alternative 1 is the way to go. Don't take no for an answer.

Tim
2 Comments
 
 

Article in today's Journal about the passage of SB614 (PSC reform bill) http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/533338.html?nav=5006weeblylink_new_window

Now it's going to Gov. Joe Manchin for his signature. He can sign it, ignore it (and after 35 days it becomes law), or veto it.

You can help encourage Joe to SIGN THE BILL INTO LAW.

Please call 1-888-438-2731 and ask that he sign SB614. Or send an email to Governor@wvGov.org and ask him to sign it.

Let's keep it up, folks, we've done great so far!

Thanks to all for your help in making SB614 law.
Add Comment
 
 
On March 9, the House Judiciary Committee passed out SB614, which means the whole House will be voting on it some time this week. The committee made a couple of technical changes. I have been told the changes were in grammar, nothing substantive, but I haven't seen the changes myself.

Here's what comes next:

The bill will be read on the floor of the House three times. The first time is just reading it as is. The second time is when amendments can be offered; we need to tell delegates to MAKE NO CHANGES! The third time it's read they vote on it. It could be voted on as early as Thursday.

Because of the technical changes, it will have to go back to the Senate to be voted on. I DO NOT KNOW if it goes straight to the full Senate for a vote or if it has to be referred to a committee again. If it's the former, we have a good chance of getting it passed; if it's the latter, there may not be time for it to get out of committee and back to the full Senate for a vote.

Now we need to contact EVERY delegate to ask them to vote FOR the bill WITHOUT AMENDMENT. Here's what I'm going to write, you can copy it if you want. I'm putting the email address of all delegates at the end; copy and paste the list into the BCC field, so it goes to each delegate individually, please.

Please vote for SB614  AS IS - when it comes to the floor of the House this week! Please do not make any changes to the bill as it came from the Judiciary Committee.

This bill will require power companies in the future to provide written notification of their application to build high-voltage power lines to landowners within 1,100 feet on either side of the proposed line, at least 30 days before the Public Service Commission closes the intervenor filing period. It will give landowners time to decide if they wish to participate in the PSC process and protect their property rights. This is common courtesy.

The bill also would require the PSC to document in future how their decision on these applications benefits West Virginia and its citizens. This is common sense.

Thank you for protecting the rights of West Virginia landowners.


[Then sign your name and town]

Here's the email list (you may need to check the spacing between names):

doug.skaff@wvhouse.gov, mhunt@markahunt.com, larry.barker@wvhouse.gov,  
bonnie.brown@wvhouse.gov, mike.caputo@wvhouse.gov,barbaraf@mail.wvnet.edu,
 linda.longstreth@wvhouse.gov, ashook@mail.wvnet.edu, ssusman@mail.wvnet.edu,
 bill.hamilton@wvhouse.gov,mmany@mail.wvnet.edu, chmarsh@mail.wvnet.edu, 
margaret.staggers@wvhouse.gov, lawrencefordelegate@hotmail.com, 
johndoyle@wvhouse.gov,jeffeldridge96@yahoo.com, bob.beach@wvhouse.gov, 
marypoli@mail.wvnet.edu, sshaver@mail.wvnet.edu, kominar@verizon.net,
kcraig1@mail.wvnet.edu, gbutcher@mail.wvnet.edu, nancy.guthrie@wvhouse.gov,
 vmahan@mail.wvnet.edu, bpaxton@mail.wvnet.edu,dwalker@mail.wvnet.edu, 
mcgeehan@mountainsp.com, jhshott@mail.wvnet.edu, dale.martin@wvhouse.gov, 
carol.miller@wvhouse.gov,brent.boggs@wvhouse.gov, t.hutchins@wvhouse.gov, 
mike.ferro@wvhouse.gov, jellem@mail.wvnet.edu, john@overington.com,
pschoen@mail.wvnet.edu, rschadler@comcast.net, tim.miley@wvhouse.gov, 
Harold@hardynet.com, danny.wells@wvhouse.gov, mikeross@mail.wvnet.edu, 
wrwooton@mail.wvnet.edu, jfrazier@mail.wvnet.edu, cmoore@mail.wvnet.edu, 
kelli.sobonya@wvhouse.gov,rswartzmiller@hotmail.com, tennis@mail.wvnet.edu, 
rgivens@mail.wvnet.edu, orphy.klempa@wvhouse.gov, svarner@mail.wvnet.edu,
dpethtel@mail.wvnet.edu, roger.romine@wvhouse.gov, lireland@mail.wvnet.edu,
eanders1@mail.wvnet.edu, bordel@mail.wvnet.edu,tazinger@mail.wvnet.edu, 
dan.poling@wvhouse.gov, bashley@mail.wvnet.edu, mcarmich@mail.wvnet.edu,
troy.andes@wvhouse.gov, ,jim.morgan@wvhouse.gov, terry.walker@wvhouse.gov, 
wduke@mail.wvnet.edu, waltduke47@aol.com, jonathan@delegatejmiller.com,
craig@delegatecraigblair.com, dcowles@mail.wvnet.edu, ruth.rowan@wvhouse.gov,  
aevans@mail.wvnet.edu, lwillia1@mail.wvnet.edu,tmanchin@manchin-aloi.com,
whocann@mail.wvnet.edu, rfragale@mail.wvnet.edu, iaquinta@mail.wvnet.edu,  
peggydonaldsonsmith@wvhouse.gov,bill.hartman@wvhouse.gov, ,
jtalbott@mail.wvnet.edu, sargento@mail.wvnet.edu, armstead@mail.wvnet.edu, 
patrick.lane@wvhouse.gov, ronwalte@mail.wvnet.edu, meshea.poore@wvhouse.gov, 
hatfield@mail.wvnet.edu, delspencer@aol.com, 
tlouisos@mail.wvnet.edu,d.perry@wvhouse.gov, tom.campbell@wvhouse.gov, 
rcanter1@mail.wvnet.edu, rickymoye@wvhouse.gov, lsumner@mail.wvnet.edu, 
gcrosier@mail.wvnet.edu, tporter@mail.wvnet.edu, djhall@mail.wvnet.edu, 
lgphill@mail.wvnet.edu, hkwhite@mail.wvnet.edu,
 rrodigh@mail.wvnet.edu,jstowers@mail.wvnet.edu, Speaker.Thompson@verizon.net, 
dperdue@mail.wvnet.edu,delegatedoug@yahoo.com, DelegateStephens@comcast.net 

~Patience Wait, Outreach Coordinator
Add Comment
 
 
Yesterday, HB 4403 passed out of the House Energy, Industry and Labor Committee by a very strong margin.   This victory is due to the many calls and emails of support the committee members received from all of you!  We thank you for taking the time to support this bill which requires notification of property owners.

But, we're not done yet!  HB 4403 has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee where it must be put on the agenda for a vote and sent to the full House for a vote by next Wednesday, March 3.

Please call or email Delegate Miley, the committee chair, and ask him to put it on the agenda ASAP.  His contact info.:  Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3252 or email tim.miley@wvhouse.gov

You may also contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee so that they will vote in favor of it when it is put on the agenda.  Here's a link to contact info. for all committee members: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/house/HouseCommittee.cfm?Chart=judweeblylink_new_window

We also need to help shepherd Senate Bill 614 through the Senate Judiciary Committee.  We had hoped to see it on the agenda yesterday while some of us were in Charleston, but it did not make it.  Call or email Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Kessler Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7880  E-mail: jeff.kessler@wvsenate.gov and ask him to put it on the committee's agenda.  You may also email the committee members and urge them to support it.  Here's a link to the list: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/senate/SenateCommittee.cfm?Chart=judweeblylink_new_window

We're so close to success, please don't drop the ball now!  Thanks for all your support!  Together we are making a difference to reform the PSC so that landowners affected by future transmission line projects will receive timely notification.
Add Comment
 
 
Our two state senators, John Unger and Herb Snyder, have introduced Senate Bill 614, to change how the Public Service Commission handles applications for high-voltage transmission lines. There are two provisions:

(1) "Within five business days of filing an application, the applicant shall serve notice by certified mail on all owners of surface real estate that lies within one thousand feet of the center line on both sides of the proposed transmission line as currently shown on the records of the respective county clerk, as well as operators of all currently producing oil or gas wells that lie within one thousand feet of the center line on both sides of the proposed transmission line."

(2) "Will economically, adequately and reliably contribute to meeting the present and anticipated requirements for electric power of the customers served by the applicant or is necessary and desirable for present and anticipated reliability of service for electric power for its service area or region: Provided, That the commission includes written findings articulating how its decision is made in the best interest of West Virginia customers to meet the present and future needs and reliability of service for West Virginia customers."  [Everything from "Provided..." on is added by SB614]

You can see this addresses two of the biggest challenges we've faced in fighting PATH - the lack of notification to landowners near the proposed route, and that PATH provides no benefit to our state.

This legislation will NOT change anything in our battle against PATH - the application is already in process, so it will be handled based on existing regulations - BUT it will provide protection for West Virginia citizens facing future projects. And we all know there will be more lines proposed in the future!

Now we need your help!

SB 614 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, but it has not been placed on the committee's agenda for consideration yet. It has to be passed in the Senate no later than March 3 - so we need you to contact by phone and/or email all the members of the Judiciary Committee! They are:

Sen. Jeff Kessler, Chairman (Marshall Co.) - 304-357-7880, jeff.kessler@wvsenate.gov
Sen. Michael Oliverio, Vice Chairman (Monongalia) - 304-357-7919, michael.oliverio@wvsenate.gov
Sen. Richard Browning (Wyoming) - 304-357-7807, richardbrowning@verizon.net
Sen. Truman Chafin (Mingo) - 304-357-7808, truman.chafin@wvsenate.gov
Sen. Dan Foster (Kanawha) - 304-357-7866, daniel.foster@camc.org
Sen. Evan Jenkins (Cabell) - 304-357-7956, evan.jenkins@wvsenate.gov
Sen. William Laird (Fayette) - 304-357-7849, william.laird@wvsenate.gov
Sen. Joseph Minard (Harrison) - 304-357-7904, joe.minard@wvsenate.gov
Sen. Corey Palumbo (Kanawha) - 304-357-7854, corey.palumbo@wvsenate.gov
Sen. Herb Snyder (Jefferson) - 304-357-7957, herb.snyder@wvsenate.gov (be sure to thank him!!)
Sen. Ron Stollings (Boone) - 304-357-7939, ron.stollings@verizon.net
Sen. Bob Williams (Taylor) - 304-357-7995, bob.williams@wvsenate.gov
Sen. Jack Yost (Brooke) - 304-357-7984, jack.yost@wvsenate.gov
Sen. Clark Barnes (Randolph) - 304-357-7973, clark.barnes@wvsenate.gov
Sen. Frank Deem (Wood) - 304-357-7970, fdeem@mail.wvnet.edu
Sen. Mike Hall (Putnam) - 304-357-7843, delegate200@hotmail.com

I didn't list Sen. Don Caruth of Mercer County, even though he's on the committee and the Senate Minority Leader, because he's fighting a brain tumor. If you want to express your wishes for a speedy and thorough recovery, his office is 304-357-7901, don.caruth@wvsenate.gov.

You can contact Sen. Unger to thank him at 304-357-7933, john.unger@wvsenate.gov.

You should write in your own words. I would say the key message is that this bill is about good government - these changes are intended to provide West Virginia citizens the opportunity to get involved and protect their properties, and to make sure the needs of West Virginia citizens are considered first.

If you've already contacted delegates about House Bill 4403, please note that THIS IS A DIFFERENT BILL. Both the State Senate and the House of Delegates are considering legislation. Both houses eventually have to agree upon the same bill, but for now we improve our chances by having a bill working its way through the Senate.

For more information, check out Bill Howley's blog at http://calhounpowerline.wordpress.com/ - he's got a diary about this (and earlier diaries about HB 4403). And the Martinsburg Journal wrote about Sen. Unger's bill in Saturday's paper - http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/532193.html.

If you have family and friends living in counties represented by these gentlemen, forward this to them and ask them to contact them, too! It's important that they hear from AS MANY PEOPLE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE!!

Thanks for lending your voice to this. If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact me or any members of the Executive Committee - Roger, Keryn, Debbie, Robin, JP, Sandie, Cathy, Steve, or Larry.

Patience Wait, Outreach Chair 
Add Comment
 
 
Action is needed to help get HB 4403 moving through the WV House. Please copy the following message or write your own email to the following delegates - also call them and repeat your message of support for this bill. A few minutes of your time can make all the difference. Thanks everyone!

Delegate Barker
larry.barker@wvhouse.gov
(304) 340-3149

Delegate Shaver
sshaver@mail.wvnet.edu
(304) 340-3146

Please place HB4403 on the Energy Committee's agenda for a vote as soon as possible. I support this bill because written notification to property owners at the time of filing an application with the WV PSC is a critical piece missing from WV law. Also, West Virginia electric rate payers should not be subsidizing transmission line projects that benefit electric companies in other states. Accelerated rate recovery should only be available to power projects that help West Virginians and strengthen reliability of service in West Virginia. 
Add Comment
 
 
There is a new post on the Calhoun Powerline asking for every West Virginian's help in contacting legislators in Charleston to advance HB4403.  The purpose of this bill is to stop accelerated rate recovery because of adverse effects of constructing transmission facilities and revising the definition of need.  The bill also requires the power companies to mail notification to all property owners within one mile of center line.

Read the post http://calhounpowerline.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/first-transmission-legislation-of-the-new-wv-session/ and contact the legislators.  Bill Howley makes it easy!
Add Comment