ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, July 17, 1996 TAG: 9607170025
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES A. SIMMONS
A COMMENTARY concerning American Electric Power's proposed transmission-line project and a letter to the editor on the same subject both deserve comment.
The commentary (July 5, ``Power-line decision highlights lack of land-use policy'') by Jeffrey Scott, a certified planner from Giles County, showed great insight in describing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement as totally inconclusive. In AEP's opinion, recommending a ``no action'' alternative, while ignoring the impacts of such a decision on the environmental, social and economic welfare, is irresponsible.
We, therefore, agree with Scott that if the two state commissions find there is a need for the line, the Forest Service will probably be forced to reconsider its recommendation. The Virginia State Corporation Commission has already made an interim decision that there is a compelling need. The Forest Service has, therefore, provided a recommendation of little value to anyone - and this after more than five years of study at a cost of more than $5 million.
Scott also makes some excellent points when he suggests that the fragmented nature of the decision-making process (two states and at least three federal agencies are involved) hasn't served the public interest. The absence of a single agency with authority to make a decision, coupled with the lack of cooperation among the agencies involved, has led to unreasonable delays. As Scott notes, this isn't fair to supporters or opponents of the project since no one, including potentially affected landowners, can be sure how or when the decision will be made. Further, he expresses the view that the existing process doesn't seem to provide for a reasonable analysis of costs, benefits and alternatives. We share his views that we need to develop a more sensible and responsible approach in the interest of all concerned.
In contrast to Scott's perceptive view of the process, Cliff Shaffer, who is chairman of Citizens Organized to Protect the Environment, suggests a much less responsible approach in his July 8 letter (``AEP should give up on the powr line''). He stated that AEP should withdraw its proposal, even if it believes the project is needed, because the people to be served have rejected it. We don't believe Shaffer speaks for all the people to be served. The vast majority of those in southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia want the reliable, low-cost supply of electric energy that's essential to the public health and welfare, as well as for economic development in our area.
Unlike Shaffer, AEP cannot ignore the continuing growth in electricity usage by our customers simply because the building of facilities is unpopular. The fact is that customers in our service area set an all-time high-peak usage in February, and so far this year have increased their requirements by more than 7 percent when compared with the same period last year. This continued increase in electricity usage speaks much louder about the customers' desires than Shaffer's unsupported statement.
Charles A. Simmons is a consultant for American Electric Power.
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