Stop PATH in

Cacapon River Country

 

      At the end of August 2008 Friends of the Cacapon River (FCR) learned that American Electric Power and Allegheny Energy want to put a huge power line through Hampshire and Morgan Counties in West Virginia. It is called PATH for short, (Potomac Appalahian Transmission Highwire.) An explanation of this plan can be obtained atwww.pathtransmission.com.  In response FCR formed a campaign to, hopefully, change the lines or to stop it altogether.

     The major problem with this proposed electric line is the size of it. If completed, it’s two pieces will comprised  1) 244 miles of 765-kilovolt (KV) from the John Amos substation in southwest West Virginia, near Charleston, to the Bedington substation, near Martinsburg and 2) 46 miles of twin-circuit 500-KV transmission from the Bedington substation to a new substation near Frederick MD. The towers will be three stories in height and the width of the space needed for these towers is 200 feet.

      In both Hampshire County and Morgan Counties PATH will take private property, cut down thousands of trees, and compromise the health of the Cacapon River. In addition, it will affect many areas connected to the country's founder George Washington and other historical sites. FCR is concerned about suggested route #72 that will wipe out Largent in Hampshire County and then travel north along the face of Cacapon Mountain in Morgan County almost reaching Great Cacapon before it crosses over, becomes #73,74 & 75, and creates more destruction. As it travels North #72 would cross 23 "blueline" streams that feed the Cacapon.  This will cause pollution and siltation. There are several proposed routes in Hampshire that will go through thousands of acres of preserved property, compromise Caudy's Castle and the Bloomery Furnce. In some cases it will cross the same farm 4 times.  While no PATH is the best possibility, we are recommending a compromise: That if there must be a power line that the new line follow the old corridor. The slogan is: "No New Path for PATH." For a detailed maps of where PATH will go:

http://www.pathtransmission.com/maps/pdf/PATH_Tile_Overview_maps_Tile6.pdf

http://www.pathtransmission.com/maps/pdf/PATH_Tile_Overview_maps_Tile7.pdf

Why is it bad?

 It will destroy 5-6 houses in Largent and many other cabins and camps along the way.  It will severely impact groups of houses - Conner's Hollow, Cacapon River Colony, Cacapon River Vista, Cacapon Retreat, Cacapon River Estates and Rouse Mountain Developments, among others. It will destroy nearly hundreds of acres of managed timber land and Land Trust Lands. It will be a blight on the viewshed of the Washington Heritage Trail (route 9) and slice between Caudy's and The White rock and come every so close to the Bloomery Furnace. 

What You Can Say?

In writing comments to AEP and AE you should say what is on your mind. Write to them two ways. By regular mail: Comments, PATH 800 Cabin Hill Drive, Greensburg PA 15601 or go online to: www.pathtransmission.com and fill out their survey. Here are some thoughts:

Say "No to #72,"  Say "No New PATH, Suggest "Rerouting.""Put power lines underground!""Don't widen corridors - Stack taller towers."

Put a note in you electric bill addressed to Allegheny Energy: "I am a customer and I don't want your power line. Make your power sustainable!"

 If a conservation plan were in place for the East Coast this line would not be needed.

  "I demand an EIS for PATH."An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a Federal law not required here, but this West Virginia should require one.

What more can you do?