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

DATE: MONDAY, March 2, 1992                   TAG: 9203020050
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, W.VA.                                LENGTH: Short

W.VA. HOUSE OKS APCO LINE STUDY

West Virginia residents opposed to a proposed high-voltage power line supplying Virginia applauded the House of Delegates' passage of a bill to study the project.

The House passed the resolution 70-24 Saturday.

Appalachian Power Co. has proposed building a 765-kilovolt power line from Wyoming County through Raleigh, Mercer, Summers and Monroe counties to a power station near Cloverdale, Va. The proposed route snakes through parts of Roanoke, Craig, Montgomery, Giles and Botetourt counties in Virginia.

Del. Mary Pearl Compton, the bill's sponsor, said residents want impartial answers to their questions about the power line's effects on health, the environment and the area economy.

"We're just asking that all the issues be addressed," said Compton, D-Monroe.

However, Del. Charlotte Lane, D-Kanawha, said lawmakers shouldn't get involved in a study.

"The Public Service Commission will hear testimony from experts on all sides of the issue," she said.

The West Virginia Public Service Commission must approve the line before construction can begin. In Virginia, Apco has applied to the State Corporation Commission for a permit to build the line. SCC hearings on the proposal will be held in New Castle in April and in Richmond in July.

by CNB