Did I mention stupid?
Virginia regulators today approved a Dominion Virginia Power proposal to build a 65-mile high-voltage power line through Northern Virginia, saying the controversial project was necessary to ensure reliable electricity in one of the most power-hungry parts of the country.Opponents of the line today pledged to take their case to the Virginia Supreme Court. They have argued that the need for the line is exaggerated and that alternatives such as conservation would be a better solution to the region's energy needs.
[...]
The decision provoked outrage from the Piedmont Environmental Council, which has been spearheading opposition to the line since it was first proposed more than two years ago. The organization has spent about$3 million fighting the proposal, which leaders said will scar the landscape and encourage the construction of polluting coal plants.
"This is not the best solution for Virginia or necessarily for the mid-Atlantic," said Chris Miller, president of the group. "It's simply the outcome of a system that is biased toward building transmission."
Yeah, "biased" as in $$$$$$$$$$$$ from Dominion to our elected officials. This represents everything wrong with our government, and it really pisses me off. The fact is, anyone who knows anything is well aware that energy efficiency is the lowest of low-hanging fruits - FAR cheaper to SAVE a watt of energy than to produce a new one. Duh. Also, how does this help with global warming or mountaintop coal removal? Argh. Also, why are we constantly doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? Oh yeah, Dominion's $$$$$$ and clueless, short-sighted politicians.
Oh yeah, before I forget: THIS IS STUPID!
P.S. Let me tell you how I really feel! :)
The 500-kV transmission line proposed by Dominion Virginia Power and Allegheny Power (through their subsidiary TrAILCo) would begin in Western Pennsylvania, cross through West Virginia, and end in Loudoun County, Virginia. In Virginia it would pass through the Meadow Brook Substation in Frederick County on its way to the Arcola Substation in Loudoun County.The 10-16 story-tall transmission line would cut through private land, public open space, neighborhoods, historic sites, historic districts, magnificent viewsheds and a high concentration of conservation easements. In Virginia alone the transmission line would impact Frederick, Warren, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Fauquier, Prince William and Loudoun Counties. In addition, approval of the transmission line would lead to increasing reliance on remote coal-fired power plants in the Ohio River Valley with continuing or increasing transmission congestion, transmission losses and environmental damage.
It seems to me that the opponents and the commissioners agree that the evaluation as spelled out by law could provide for a more holistic approach. But that would be lawmakers who need to change that.
I intend to ask the Attorney General to appeal this decision to the VA Supreme Court.Furthermore, I do not agree with the two SCC commissioners' reading of the Virginia power statute that the General Assembly in effect gave away the authority to regulate the placement of transmission lines out of the hands of the SCC, and instead gave it to to a private entity (PJM) because that would be an unconstitutional delegation of public authority which the General Assembly CANNOT do.
Commissioner Shannon points out that "the PJM process may result in overbuilding transmission versus other alternatives, with the accompaniing costs being born by the rate payers and the appearance of the VIrginia landscape being adveresly affected."
A regulatory process that intentionally wastes limited citizen resources is unconscionable.
It is clear this transmission line is NOT for the benefit of Virginia electric power consumers becase even the Virginia SCC grants only preliminary approval to the line dependent upon the actions of Pennsylvania.
No such labdication of egislative intent was ever discussed as part of the deregulation bill which passed the General Assembly several years ago, and I doubt it would have passed if that were the clear legislaive intent.
So, I will ask Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell to appeal this decision. Further, and I will once again urge local governments and citizens adveresly affected by this decision to use the authority of the statute I authored to request that the SCC require that portions of the line be placed underground if final approval is given so we can protect Virginia's beautiful landscape even if Congress has approved and finds acceptable a regulatory process that intentionally wastes the taxes and private resources of Virginia citizens.