May 29--The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors is joining the Piedmont Environmental Council in appealing a decision allowing the construction of a long-distance, high-voltage power line through the region.

In a 60-page opening brief filed May 22 with the Virginia Supreme Court, the PEC, the county, the Board of Supervisors in Fauquier and Prince William counties and an independent alliance of landowners are asking the court to order the State Corporation Commission to reconsider the case.

They allege that:

-- The SCC made its earlier recommendations based on incorrect interpretations of its authority

-- The SCC should have considered economics as a factor in reaching the decision and illegally delegated decision-making responsibility to PJM Interconnection, a an independent, regional electricity management organization

-- PJM's "inherent bias" in the matter should have been recognized.

The suit also asks the court to order the SCC to independently verify any information provided to the group that will be used to make a decision.

Jointly proposed by Dominion Virginia Power and Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Co., the new power line would run 240 miles from Pennsylvania through West Virginia, then through Virginia, including through northern Culpeper County along U.S. 211 in the South Wales area.

According to the PEC, a November report from PJM shows that actual demand for electricity will be lower than anticipated. PJM manages the electric grid in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia.

The SCC -- a state utility regulating authority -- in October approved construction of two portions of the 500-kilovolt power line in Virginia. The PEC in February filed a motion to appeal.

Landowners in the affected areas have joined the Warrenton-based PEC and local governments in vehement, long-standing opposition to the plan.

The power companies contend that the line is necessary to ease the Mid-Atlantic's strained electric grid.

The PEC and others are also concerned that the power companies might use eminent domain and utility laws to profit by selling electricity outside the region.

Residents are also upset about the physical footprint of the power pylons. Early designs call for power pylons that may be up to 175 high in some areas.

Engineers say the height is necessary to protect the lines, which sag as they heat up under load, and people and structures on the ground.

-----

To see more of the Culpeper Star-Exponent or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.starexponent.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, Culpeper Star-Exponent, Va.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

NYSE:D,

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.