ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, August 3, 1996 TAG: 9608050006
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RUDOLPH HENSLEY
THERE HAVE been several letters to the editor about the proposed 115-mile power line from Wyoming, W.Va., to Cloverdale. Letters opposing the line were written by individuals who know absolutely nothing about it. One (James V. Noonkester's March 11 letter, ``Don't send jobs to West Virginia'') suggested that Radford Army Ammunition Plant generate the needed electric power. The Radford plant distributes power at only 69,000 volts and purchases approximately half of this from American Electric Power, so how could the plant supply additional power?
Some object to suspended cable and suggest that it be placed underground. The technology is there, but underground cables carrying 765-kilovolts must be in oil-filled tubes that are subject to leaks that could harm the environment. Also, a shunt-reactor station is necessary approximately every 25 miles. Currently, the longest underground high-voltage line in the United States provides only 345-kv, and is only 17.5 miles long. The longest underground high-voltage line in the world is a 110-kv line, 125 miles long, in Saudi Arabia. There is no experience with burying 765-kv lines of any distance, much less 115 miles.
AEP, like all utilities, experiences losses on all its transmission facilities. Constructing the Wyoming-Cloverdale 765-kv line will reduce these losses across the AEP system by 63 megawatts. While conserving energy, the reduction in losses also benefits our environment by reducing generation, helping to keep the air clean. The projected savings from reduction of these line losses is $8 million per year. AEP returns such savings to customers by returning them to its rate base, helping to help keep rates low. Speaking of rates, a comparison of electric-power rates (based on 1,000 kilowatt-hours) is shown in the accompanying graphic.
How significant is electric power to the welfare of the area and its economic growth? The present AEP profile is as follows. Population served by AEP: Virginia, 1,095,211; West Virginia, 896,403. Total customers: Virginia, 415,329; West Virginia, 392,075. State and local taxes charged (1990): Virginia, $19,637,104; West Virginia, $71,201,537.
According to AEP, the 765-kv line will provide for the Virginia and West Virginia service area:
Reliable electricity.
1,260 four-year construction jobs.
1,500 to 3,600 permanent jobs.
2.4 million to 5.8 million tons of additional coal mined yearly.
$24.5 million to $50.6 million in additional tax revenues each year.
$28.6 million to $58.7 million in additional payroll yearly.
The total economic benefit will be $140 million to $340 million annually.
The 765-kv line is essential. The capacity is needed, and smaller energy lines, such as 138-kv lines (carrying 80,000 kilowatts) or 345-kv lines (carrying 500,000 kilowatts) require even more land than the 765-kv circuit, which can carry 2.5 million kilowatts.
AEP has operated 765-kv lines for the past 20 years, serving more than 2,000 miles over six states. What has the impact been? In Floyd County, property-tax assessments from 1985 to 1990, taken over nine areas along such a line, went up!
As to the question of electromagnetic fields, radiation from a hair dryer is higher than that from a power line if standing directly under the line. The Journal of American Medical Association reports little or no biological or health effects from power-line electromagnetic fields.
What are the alternatives to the 765-kv line? Construction of new generation facilities in Southwest Virginia would cost more than $2 billion, resulting in a significant rate increase for all AEP customers. Another alternative is to do nothing, and to explain to prospective manufacturing companies, existing businesses and households that they can expect brownouts or blackouts. AEP's peak load of Dec. 22, 1989, was broken on Jan. 19, 1994, at 6,887,000 kilowatts, which was 14.9 percent higher. If this power line isn't built, we'll need to get out our kerosene lamps and portable generator!
No, I am not an AEP employee, and I do not own AEP stock. As an engineer for more than 60 years, I think someone ought to tell the facts. If what I have presented isn't convincing, I have more.
Rudolph Hensley of Blacksburg is a retired supervisor from the Virginia Tech Utility Service.
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: chart - Electricity Rates KEYWORDS: MGRby CNB