Two power companies have filed to withdraw their Virginia State Corporation Commission application for the Potomac Appalachian Transmission Highline after new statistics show the project will not be needed for the next several years.
If built, PATH, proposed by American Electric Power and Allegheny Energy (now FirstEnergy Corp.), would have been 275 miles and 765,000 volts. It would have stretched from West Virginia to Maryland, crossing Loudoun County north of Lovettsville for about 10 miles along the way.
The energy companies issued a press release Feb. 28 with the following statement:
“Today’s filings in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia are in response to a directive by regional grid operator PJM Interconnection to suspend further development of the PATH project while PJM conducts a more rigorous analysis of the potential need for PATH as part of its continuing Regional Transmission Expansion Plan. PJM directed the construction of PATH in 2007 to resolve violations of national and local standards for reliable operation of the region’s transmission system. Since then, annual studies reaffirmed the need for PATH as the recommended solution for resolving these issues. However, PJM’s latest analyses indicate that the projected need for the project has moved well into the future.”
Many in Loudoun have spoken out against PATH ever since the first application was filed for the project in 2009.
These opponents argued that it was not needed, a statement that the latest numbers show is true.
Do the applicants still pay a fee to cover the costs of hearings already held?
WE WON!!!!!!
Alas for all, they probably DO think it will be needed one day when growth and economic recovery warrant it. This is not at all over and the future SCC hearings will continue to be a big cost to those in the area who have filed as respondents in this case. Lawyers charge by the hour and the energy companies can afford to pay expert witnesses for their testimonies before the SCC when the case reconvenes down the road.
Amazing that most people were stating back in 2007 the need was not there. However only today the company that wanted it acknowledges that it is FURTHER out than they has first thought.
Better late than after the construction has started.
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