Tucker Residents, Mollohan Discuss Power Line Worries
By ALEC RADER, Staff WriterArticle Photos
Stopping in Tucker County on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, D-1st District, answered questions posed by his constituents regarding various issues. The majority of the congressman's time was spent addressing the proposed Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) that will run through either the bulk of Tucker County or northern Randolph County.
Residents said they have a multitude of concerns regarding PATH including health issues and the diminishment of property values.
"All we have left is scenic beauty," Tucker County resident Dr. Debra Mowe said.
PATH, along with its sister line, the Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line (TrAIL) will drastically change the "viewshed" of the county, the residents said.
"Are there not other ways to go instead of through Tucker County?" Sgt. Robert Stump questioned. Mollohan's response was that although he does want to help the people of the county, he doesn't have any authority over the direction of PATH.
County commissioners are also concerned about the diminishment of property values because that would reduce the amount of taxes on which the county operates.
Mowe also asked, "What are we getting out of this?"
Mollohan replied, "If you didn't have power lines coming out of West Virginia, you wouldn't have the coal industry."
Residents who will or have been affected by the transmission lines also want to know why these lines were coming over private property instead of through the National Forest, land which the government already owns. The reasoning from the power companies' point of view is that it would then need to obtain multiple environmental permits to place the lines through the forest, Mollohan said.
Paula Stall wonders why the state is allowing these lines to be built on private land when the construction may not be allowed on national land.
Donna Prince stated that with all the talk about getting away from non-renewable energy sources these lines are "going to lock West Virginia into an obsolete energy system."
Mollohan promised he would find out as much as possible about the proposed lines and get back to everyone. He also suggested that the people of Tucker County form a "land use planning committee" that would set up parameters and guidelines for future use of the land.
|
GRizzly56
|
|
|---|---|
|
08-20-08 3:35 PM
|
listen if you tax the lines you tax us the customer and epa should not allow the lines on private property national forest is the way they should go let the power company = path obtain and pay for permits like everyone else is tucker county getting any befits from the wind mills ? no i do not believe so,?????
|
|
JRBEAR2008
|
|
|
08-20-08 3:21 PM
|
I THINK ITS WRONG GOING THROUGH PROPERTY OWNERS LAND TO BUILD POWER LINES THEY SHOULD GO THROUGH NATIONAL FOREST NOT PRIVATE PROPERTY
|