Pennsylvania shows Virginia the way

Tony Vanderwarker

2008-09-09 17:59:39

As we work to ensure that Virginians have the power they need and that our country becomes energy independent, it is critical that we assess all the relevant factors before making infrastructure investments.

Recently, a two-judge panel for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission recommended denial of a 500kv transmission line proposed by Dominion Virginia Power and its partner, Allegheny Power, to traverse a three-state area.

In an exhaustive analysis, the Pennsylvania administrative law judges emphasized the failure of PJM, the regional transmission system operator, and Trailco, a utility subsidiary, to take a comprehensive, all-inclusive view of the region’s energy system.

They criticized not only the failure to meaningfully analyze new generation, energy efficiency, and energy conservation efforts within the Mid-Atlantic region, but also the over-dramatization by the utility of the risks involved if the line was not approved.

Earlier this summer, the Hearing Examiner of the Virginia State Corporation Commission recommended that the same line be built but only if the other two states involved, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, approved the line.

In both the Pennsylvania and Virginia cases, there was strong evidence that the proposed transmission line has little to do with providing energy for Virginia or preventing blackouts, but a lot to do with exporting Midwest coal-generated power to places like New York and New Jersey.

The Pennsylvania Law Judges have sent our commonwealth a wake-up call. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Virginia ranks in the bottom third in the nation (tied for 38th place with Georgia) when it comes to energy efficiency and conservation. Virginia ranks low because, unlike utilities in other states, Dominion relies on building expensive facilities (upon which it earns a guaranteed return) and selling as much electricity as possible.

Ratepayers and residents should not bear the financial burden of a utility adding unnecessary power lines. If Virginia is to maintain its status as the best governed state and the best place to do business in the U.S, then our commonwealth should be a leader in smart energy policy.

We encourage our legislators and utilities to work to implement the recommendations of the State Energy Plan with regard to renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and conservation.

As our nation looks to replace foreign oil for energy sources, instead of patching a transmission system that relies upon burning expensive and polluting fossil fuels to meet our energy needs, now is the time to begin planning an efficient and smart grid that will serve us for the 21st century and beyond.

Tony Vanderwarker

Chairman

Piedmont Environmental Council

Warrenton