There, but for the grace of God, go I 03/06/2011
Now that we have beaten the PATH creature back down into its PJM dungeon for the time-being, we're all reflecting on our experiences over the past 2 1/2 years. We imagine what might have happened if circumstances or timing had been different. No need to use your imagination, there are hundreds of landowners in West Virginia who are living your worst nightmare. These are the folks who fought TrAIL and lost their battle at the PSC, however their battle is not yet over. These folks have been robbed of their land, robbed of the sanctity of their home and environment, and robbed of their sanity during construction of the TrAIL project, but yet they refuse to be intimidated. On March 28 and 29, a group of affected landowners will have their complaints heard before the WV-PSC in Charleston and we should all be paying attention and giving them our support. To read about the case, go to the WV-PSC website and search for case 09-1758-E-C. To read the original TrAIL case docket, search case 07-0508-E-CN. To see pictures of the TrAIL of destruction, go here. What happened differently in the TrAIL case? It can be explained in a simple photograph which I found last night while doing a google search. If you don't recognize the characters in this photo, they are former Allegheny Energy CEO Paul Evanson, then-Governor-now-Senator Joe Manchin and FirstEnergy CEO Anthony Alexander. I just can't help mentioning it... Evanson looks even more like Charles Montgomery Burns than ever in this photo. And what's up with his hair? Is that called the "newborn baby before they clean the crap out of his hair" look? Here's what happened in the TrAIL case: "The transmission headquarters was part of Allegheny Energy’s settlement with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia, one of a number of concessions the utility provided in return for PSC staff dropping its contention that the need for the Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line had not been demonstrated." How did that happen? “I got a call one day from Gov. Joe Manchin. He suggested that maybe we locate the building in West Virginia,” said Allegheny CEO Paul Evanson at Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the transmission center. Evanson said Manchin was very persuasive as he laid out the pros of locating such a facility in the state. After carefully considering the matter, Evanson said he told Manchin that the company would locate the new facility in North Central West Virginia. A short time later, Evanson got “another call” from Manchin. The governor suggested Fairmont as the best location. Evanson said there were several locations, including Morgantown, under consideration, but the company hadn’t made a decision. About a week later, Manchin called him again and asked if there had been any decision about Fairmont. Evanson said he soon realized that Fairmont’s proximity to major power lines crisscrossing North Central West Virginia made it the best choice for the transmission center. “Three phone calls and here we are,” Evanson said. When Manchin stepped to the podium, he joked “that it really took four phone calls, not three.” Four phone calls. That's all it took for Joe Manchin to sell out the people of his state. "A crowd of dignitaries laughed as they listened to Manchin’s remarks while assembled on the front porch of Allegheny Energy’s $52 million transmission facility." While these guys were yukking it up at the grand opening, what was happening to the affected citizens that Joe sold down river? John and Janie Ives, two of the most wonderful, down-to-earth people I've ever met, were writing letter after letter to Governor Manchin, pleading for help. Manchin ignored them, afterall, he had a Transmission Headquarters Grand Opening to attend. There, but for the grace of God, go I. CommentsDa Hillbilly 03/07/2011 2:49am
And now we have this dirty S.O.B. in washington as a our Senator ... where he can not only sell out West Virginia but have his personal agenda working to sell out all of America! We all answer for our deeds one day... Dudley Do-Wrong 03/07/2011 4:43am
Why do all three in the picture have the same sinister smile?... that must happen when you drink the Kool-Aid. Pam 03/07/2011 5:31am
Looks like Joe has his hands in those guys' pockets!!! I truly believe our PSC made this go away very quickly because they were tired of it, it was a big monkey on their back, and they just wanted it gone. We have to hope and pray VA or MD will put some stipulations on PATH if they ever want to refile in those states. Dick Cheney 03/07/2011 5:39am
Now that I have my idiots all assembled ... it's time to start my village! Laugh In 03/07/2011 6:06am
Ha ha we screwed the people of wv ha ha Keryn 03/07/2011 6:18am
When Ryan Palmer was still Manchin's General Counsel, he told me that personal interference in permit approvals by the Governor was illegal. I'm guessing Palmer wasn't invited to the Grand Opening. Hey Moe 03/07/2011 6:40am
I'm tryin to remember exactly which episode of the Three Stooges this picture reminds me of. Da Hillbilly 03/07/2011 9:02am
Da Hillbilly 03/07/2011 9:45am
Keryn, does that surprise you at all? I mean, you know as well as anybody, it doesn't matter what the "policy" might say, when it comes to Joe makin' the sale, he will do as he pleases. I wonder if Mr. Palmer's new position has anything to do with that whole fiasco? I would hope not, Mr. Palmer really gives the impression he might actually be a fresh outlook in the P.S.C. But then again Charleston and washington operate quite similarly only on a different scale. Now Joe has the oppertunity to C.F. the whole country and not just West Virginia. Pam 03/08/2011 10:32am
VA SCC set an oral argument hearing on all the motions currently pending on March 17 at 1:00 p.m. You can phone in. Info is on the SCC website. Keryn 03/08/2011 12:01pm
Sweet! That's two days past the Ides of March. I guess PATH is going to have to put out anyhow... LOL. Thanks for the update, Pam! Da Hillbilly 03/08/2011 12:50pm
Time to put up or shut in Virginia it looks like. Thank you Virginia for making them play their hand. Reminds me of yet another song. Ya gotta know when to hold 'em, Ya gotta know when to fold 'em. Hey PATH, c'mon folks, Really? Don't you think it's time to "fold 'em?" Leave a Reply | AuthorStopPATH WV blog is written by members of StopPATH. All opinions expressed are those of the individual author. 
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