TrAIL

    Just when you thought it was safe to move to the country! Dominion and TrAILCo or Trans- Allegheny Interstate Line has proposed to run a massive, 500 kilovolt power line through Southwestern Pennsylvania, Northern West Virginia and Virginia. The proposed transmission towers could be as high as 160 feet, almost 7 times as high as a 24 foot high house! The rights of way for these power lines will be up to 200 feet wide and could have the capacity to carry twice the power of a 500 kv line. The entire project is estimated to cost $1.3 billion, much of which will be passed on to the consumer in even higher electric bills.

    Because the transmission lines will sweep through the mostly rural regions of 3 states, large amounts of herbicides will be used to kill vegetation to facilitate the rights of way. The areas affected will be private lands, woods, farmland, wetlands and public open spaces. They will be in close proximity of schools, parks, homes, covered bridges and historical sites.

     The fallout from this project could be devastating. Topping the list are the health concerns to humans and wildlife. Herbicide spraying is likely to affect air and groundwater as well as animals who feed on vegetation. Exposure to power line electric or magnetic fields has been linked to childhood leukemia in a UK study although results are not conclusive. Most importantly, these new transmission lines will be supported by even more coal fired power plants. Pennsylvania already has had the distinction of being home to 4 of the dirtiest 50 power plants in the nation!  Other concerns are plummeting property values. Folks who move to the country want to see rolling hills, not power lines. They escape the city or burbs to experience the quiet sounds of nature not the ever present humming of electrical transmission. Drops in property values could mean financial ruin for property owners, school districts and municipalities. Some homes are actually on the chopping block and may be destroyed.

      Other solutions to the problem of higher energy demand should be evaluated by Dominion and TrAILCo before taking this expensive and potentially dangerous step. Repairing and maximizing efficiency in existing powerlines would be one idea, also generating power closer to the demand population (again,keep it local!) Alternative energy such as solar, water and wind power need to be pursued. Lastly conserve, conserve, conserve!!!

       Many believe that this project is about moving energy that is generated in Pennsylvania and West Virginia at a lower cost to Virginia where it can be sold at a higher price. (surely, profit would not be what motivates our energy companies!!) This project is being opposed across the region by several grassroots environmental organizations. These include The Piedmont Environmental Council in Virginia, The Energy Conservation Council in Pennsylvania and the Sierra Club. Public input hearings are being held in these states now. The fight will be tough. Thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, a "National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor" ( or NIET Corridor) could be designated to establish a right of way for these lines. In March 2006 RIM, a regional transmission organization, filed a request to the DOE asking for this designation. If granted, this could override county or state level opposition. (most county and state officials in the designated corridor are opposed to the project) This boils down to federal eminent domain. In other words, even your governor can't save your house! For more information visit wwwstopthetowers.org   If you live in Pennsylvania, West Virginia or Virginia  don't be afraid to get involved and voice your opinion!