NEWS

Bills for House & Senate Hearings in Annapolis

In order to file for a CPCN, Maryland statute requires the entity to be an “Electric Company.”  We believe the legislators’ intent in crafting this article was to indicate that it was indeed important that an “Electric Company” should be in control of large transmission projects. The company should be the owner of the project, not simply a 5% stakeholder as in PATH. The possibility of the MPSC approving this obvious maneuver to circumvent the intent of the statute raises alarms with Sugarloaf Conservancy and other interested parties.  

For this reason Sugarloaf Conservancy has proposed modifying the current statute and received encouragement from our state delegates.  This legislation, sponsored by Sue Hecht in the House and Alex Mooney & David Brinkley in the Senate, will clarify the definition of an “electric company to include that all owners of a project be electric companies and they exercise the authority to control the day-to-day business decisions of the enterprise, if passed. Letters to the delegates thanking them and asking for them to continue to support the bills will help to stop these types of potential corporate maneuvers!

Maryland
Potomac Edison filed for a CPCN - December 21, 2009
Administrative Hearing held January 6, 2010 - Awaiting ruling by PSC

Virginia
Hearing Examiner approved motion for PATH to withdraw application. Currently waiting decision by Commissioners

West Virginia
Staff motion to dismiss denied and PATH’s request to toll case accepted. Decision due by February 24, 2011.

If PATH is built, you will face substantial loss in your property value. There is no question that the loss of equity in the land and homes near PATH will be a large part of each home’s value, particularly in this difficult market. Estimates are that property values near the PATH line would decrease by 10% – 38%. Contributions should be considered investments in your property.

We, therefore, are soliciting contributions!

If You Are Contacted by Allegheny Energy…

We would appreciate hearing about any contact folks have from Allegheny particularly since they are only seeking easements at this time. This means the property owner still has ownership, possibly liability, and tax responsibility! We can make a difference if we work together!

See the map of final PATH at - pathtransmission.com - click on MAPS, then All Aerial Maps.
A suggested starting point to find your house is Regional Map 22.

Signs are available for sale:
(<1 for $8, <5 for $35 and 10 for $60)!

Intervener
As an intervener, you can act exactly like Allegheny Power's attorneys act during this process.