Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, December 22, 1994                   TAG: 9412220100
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCC WON'T BE RUSHED ON APCO LINE

It was the second time the SCC nixed a request by Appalachian Power Co. to separate the two issues in the utility's attempt to get the long-delayed project rolling. Apco is proposing a 765,000-volt line from West Virginia to Cloverdale, originally was slated for 1998.

Charles Simmons, Apco vice president for construction and maintenance, said he was disappointed with the ruling but would accept it. He said Apco would not appeal the decision to the Virginia Supreme Court, which would be the next step, since this is not the final order.

Power-line opponents have argued that state law requires the commission to consider the need for the line in light of its location, which takes into account environmental impacts such as water quality, endangered species, homes and businesses, and other natural and cultural resources.

The commission, in a two-page decision, noted that Apco has not filed an application in West Virginia, nor has the U.S. Forest Service issued a draft environmental impact statement on the project.

"The commission intends to, and will, decide all the matters pending before it in this application in an orderly fashion," the order said. "Further, the uncertainties cited above make it clear that the commission's orderly deliberations will not delay [construction of] any facility... ''

The line would cross about 12 miles of the Jefferson National Forest as well as the New River and the Appalachian Trail. The Forest Service is the lead agency on the environmental impact statement.

A letter from forest Supervisor Joy Berg to the SCC this month said the forest expects the two states to determine need before the final impact statement is published, usually about six to nine months after the draft is issued.

The forest has delayed the draft at least three times, and won't know until January what the revised deadline will be.

"Frankly, these delays are really becoming worrisome," Simmons said. He plans to talk with Berg about giving additional assistance to perhaps reduce the workload so the Forest Service can "get the job done," he said. Apco has paid about $2million so far to a private consultant and the Forest Service for the impact statement, but is not directly involved in its preparation.