Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 10, 1992 TAG: 9203100294
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The legislation, passed Saturday, expressed opposition to approval of the line unless it is proved to be consistent with public interest and avoids unnecessary and unjustified environmental impact.
The lawmakers' resolution asks the Jefferson National Forest to consider the impact on all property on the route from Oceana, W.Va., to Cloverdale in its environmental statement. That statement, not yet contracted by the forest, is expected to be ready by January 1994.
The resolution calls for particular emphasis on the impact of the proposed line on the wild and scenic qualities of the New River.
Bob Zacher, coordinator of Common Ground, a Monroe County, W.Va., group opposing the line, called the resolution "a powerful tool for power-line opponents."
However, Charles Simmons, an Apco vice president, said in Roanoke, "I don't see where the resolution makes any difference." The action "leaves things where they belong," with the West Virginia Public Service Commission, he said.
An earlier resolution passed by the West Virginia House called for a legislative study of the line, but that was dropped from the joint resolution, Simmons said.
He said he was disappointed by the resolution's allegations that Apco plans to generate power with the use of western coal instead of burning fuel from West Virginia mines. Simmons has denied that charge.
The resolution also said that the proposed line raises concern about health risks and threatens "visual degradation" of scenic mountain areas.
Simmons disagreed with Zacher's prediction that the resolution will slow Apco's filing of an application for West Virginia approval of the line. Simmons said he expects Apco soon will receive more environmental documentation from university study teams and that it will apply in West Virginia "within the next month or so."
The resolution said 79 miles, or more than half of the 115-mile line, would be in West Virginia.
Power-line opponents said Jeff Jones, a Richmond lawyer, told them the State Corporation Commission has delayed for three months, until mid-summer, a hearing on Virginia Power's plan to build a connecting high-voltage line from Lynchburg to near Richmond. SCC spokesman Ken Schrad was not available Monday to confirm the reported delay.
Harriet Hodges of Craig County, head of ARCS, a regional organization of power-line opponents, said, "we plan to pack the town" of New Castle with food, music and entertainment on April 2 when SCC holds a hearing there.
Hodges said boards of supervisors in Appomattox, Buckingham, Louisa and Goochland counties have opposed Virginia Power's proposed high-voltage line. A Central Virginia steering committee has been selected by ARCS, an umbrella group for opponents in 10 counties, including Roanoke, Craig and Giles, she said.
by CNB