StopPATH WV

There's a story in the State Journal this morning about the PSC Staff's Motion to Dismiss.  In the story, Herling tells at least one lie.  He is quoted as saying, "because Liberty is not a transmission owner in the area, they don't actually own any right of way -- they would have to acquire all of it," he offered in explanation of the higher cost contingencies. "Allegheny and AEP have a fair share of the rights of way already in hand."

This is untrue.  Allegheny and AEP began this project with no rights-of-way in hand.  NONE.  However, even before making application for this project, the PATH companies were at work through very expensive, shifty land agents to acquire rights-of-way needed for their plan.  What's to stop Liberty from doing the same?  PJM's "approval" of their project?

Even though PATH has paid outrageous sums for some properties and next to nothing for others, it's YOUR money they are spending, little ratepayer.  Liberty would  have to use their own money because FERC has not blessed them with the ability to recover Construction Work in Progress.

At the end of 2009, the latest year from which we can see cost data, PATH has purchased only 27 properties (or easements) of the estimated 1,500 - 1,600 properties required for construction of the PATH line.  I would hardly call that "a fair share".  Herling is just flat out WRONG in his attempt at "too big to fail".  If PATH is dismissed, these properties will have to be resold.  The ratepayers are going to end up with a huge burden anyhow because PATH paid MILLIONS more than some of these properties were worth in order to have anchor points for their proposed substations or attempt to influence local governments to release open space easements.  We'll never get that money back!

Herling also claims, "Even if you knew with absolute certainty that you could have Mt. Storm-Doubs done by 2015, you'd still have to plan three or four more upgrades after that to fix all the other problems," Herling said.  Nope -- all you would need is Dominion's Alternative 1, which Herling refuses to seriously evaluate.  The Mt. Storm-Doubs rebuild is one component of Alternative 1.  That has been approved by PJM.  The other two components are rebuild of the Pruntytown-Mt. Storm line and installation of reactive reinforcements.  That's two.  Count 'em, Steve, TWO!  Hmm... maybe that's the problem here.  Steve's math skills are lacking?

Seems like the media is finally cracking open the rotten egg that is PJM and the PATH companies.  The truth shall set us free.