Monday Morning Open Thread

Clem, the PATH power line is far from dead. (4.00 / 2)

PJM Interconnection, the power company cartel that is pushing PATH, can no longer justify the line using their old reasoning.  In the past, that has never stopped them from concocting new stories about why PATH is needed.

The WV PSC case is starting up again after a delay, and AEP/Allegheny are trying to get back into the game at the MD PSC.  They are not giving up.

The PATH line, and the faulty reasoning behind it, has strong backing at the federal level, both at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in the White House and in Congress.  AEP's lobbyists work very hard at the federal level to promote their pet projects.  They will not be going away any time soon.

The power company propaganda mill is getting cranked up again with a May 4 secret meeting at the Martinsburg Holiday Inn from 9 am to 11 am.  AEP/Allegheny's front group, West Virginians for Reliable Power, talked the Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce into using the Chamber to "catapult the propaganda" to the media without letting the public in.  Contact the Berkeley County Chamber if you would like to make a reservation to attend the secret "forum".

Now more than ever, we need to stay informed about what is happening with PATH.  The media has been ignoring important developments.  When the spotlight turns elsewhere, that is when the dirty work starts to happen.  I am trying my best on The Power Line to stay on top of new developments with PATH.

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by: Calhouner @ Mon Apr 26, 2010 at 11:10:42 AM UTC

thanks for the clarification (0.00 / 0)

It's a zombie project for sure! It ought to be dead but just won't die. AEP/Allegheny stands to make too much money off it, needed or not.

Keep up the great work and please keep us informed on how people can help to kill this thing off. There's so many opportunities for making positive investments in our electric grid it's a horrible waste to see so many resources going into an unnecessary project like this.

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by: Clem Guttata @ Mon Apr 26, 2010 at 13:00:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Funny you should mention it. (4.00 / 1)

There are two things that people can do right away to "help kill this thing off."  Two citizens groups of intervenors in the WV PSC case have hired expert witnesses and need help paying for them.  Both groups are run by volunteers, so all of your donations go directly to pay for these experts.  Here's how to make donations.

Stop PATH WV, based in Jefferson County, is hiring Martin Blank, a Columbia University professor and expert on the medical impacts of electro-magnetic fields.  You can make donations to his fees at http://stoppathwv.com/index.html.

WV Citizens Against PATH, the other main citizens group, has joined the Upshur County Board of Education and other intervenors, to hire a WV real estate appraisal expert to testify at the PSC concerning the impact of high voltage power lines on real estate values and property tax revenues.  Donations for this fund can be sent to attorney Charles Printz at Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP,
Post Office Drawer 1419, Martinsburg, WV 25402-1419
Telephone: (304) 264-4222.

All WV rate payers are paying for power company experts through their electric rates under the federal scheme that would pay for PATH, whether the line is built or not.  You are already paying for PATH's experts.  Why not pitch in to help your friends and neighbors stand up for our state against this stupid project?

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by: Calhouner @ Mon Apr 26, 2010 at 17:28:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The site's software included a period at the end of my link to the Stop PATH WV site (4.00 / 1)

so the link doesn't work.  The correct link is  http://stoppathwv.com/make-a-d...

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by: Calhouner @ Mon Apr 26, 2010 at 23:35:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]