TrAIL power line considered by Supreme Court

Opponents of the TrAIL power line this morning got their chance to argue in person that the West Virginia Supreme Court should review the state Public Service Commission’s approval of that project.

Property owner Thomas M. Hildebrand and the Sierra Club want the Court to review the PSC decision. Hildebrand argue the petition on his own behalf, and William DePaulo argued for the Sierra Club.

Basically, the appeals argue that Allegheny Power did not prove the power transmission line is needed, and that the PSC also did not properly consider the potential environmental impacts.

The relevant statute here is W.Va. Code 24-2-11(a), which requires the PSC to make these findings before it approves such a project:

1. The project “Will economically, adequately and reliably contribute to meeting the present and anticipated requirements for electric power of the customers served by the applicant or is necessary and desirable for present and anticipated reliability of service for electric power for its service area or region;” and

2. The project “Will result in an acceptable balance between reasonable power needs and reasonable environmental factors.”

We should know in a day or two if the Supreme Court will give this major case its full attention, by accepting the appeal.

Don’t forget, we have all of the Gazette’s power line stories posted at our Lines of Power site.

UPDATED: We’ve got a more complete account of today’s argument from The Associated Press here.