SVBF Comments on Allegheny Power's Application for Electric Transmission Lines

For immediate release — August 16, 2007
Contact: Howard J. Kittell (SVBF Executive Director): 540-740-4545 x202

NEW MARKET, Va. — Today the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation offered public comments regarding an application by Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company (TrAILCo) for approval for electric transmission lines through the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  The State Corporation Commission is conducting hearings this month throughout the proposed corridor.  Battlefields Foundation Executive Director testified at today's hearing in Warren County.  TrAILCo is a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy.

Kittell's comments focused on the Foundation’s concerns regarding the proposal’s impact on the Cedar Creek and Front Royal battlefields and on the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. 

Pointing to several deficiencies in the routing studies submitted with the TrAILCo application, Kittell asked that the Commission “pursue a full and independent investigation of the potential impact of the proposed transmission lines upon these historic and cultural resources.”

In addition, Kittell responded to assertions that by following existing lines, any new or expanded transmission lines would not disturb the area’s viewsheds.

“We respectfully disagree with this argument,” said Kittell.

“It implies that the existing transmission lines are consistent with the historic character of this landscape and that additional and/or higher lines would not therefore be obtrusive.  On the contrary, it is our hope that as new technologies become available—such as burying transmission lines—these existing lines may become obsolete and will disappear from the landscape.”

A copy of the letter submitted by the Battlefields Foundation to the State Corporation Commission may be downloaded using the link below.

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As authorized by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation serves as the non-profit manager of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, partnering with local, regional, and national organizations and governments to preserve the Valley’s battlefields and interpret and promote the region’s Civil War story.

Created by Congress in 1996, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District encompasses Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties in Virginia and the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester.  The legislation authorizes federal funding for the protection of ten battlefields in the District: Second Winchester, Third Winchester, Second Kernstown, Cedar Creek, Fisher’s Hill, Tom’s Brook, New Market, Cross Keys, Port Republic, and McDowell.

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ON THE WEB:
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District:
www.ShenandoahAtWar.org

National Park Service 1992 study of the Shenandoah Valley ’s Civil War battlefields:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/shenandoah/svs0-1.html

TrAILCo's SCC application and supporting documents: http://www.aptrailinfo.com/index.php?page=virginia

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