PATH tops Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber discussion

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The Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce heard the concerns from several residents opposed to the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) during its meeting Oct. 5.

During the chamber's Sept. 21 meeting, members listened to Allegheny Power Local Affairs Officer Charles Friddle explain the need to build PATH.

But at the latest chamber gathering, many said PATH poses several issues including the impact on the environment, the health of those who live near it and the cost it will take to build it. Upshur County resident Cindy Rank, came before the chamber speaking on behalf of those who are opposed to the project.

Rank told chamber members PATH will be a 765-kilovolt transmission line extending across West Virginia from the John Amos Power Plant in Putnam County to Kemptown, Md., a distance of 275 miles. The two counties in the state that will have the most miles of line is Braxton, with 28 miles, and Upshur County, with 26 miles.

The towers alone will be around 200 feet in height, Rank said, with a 200 foot right-of-way.

While the line may travel through West Virginia, the state will not be able to access electric from it, according to another concerned Upshur County resident Tim Higgins. "It's like a highway running over 250 miles through the state with no exits."

The estimated cost for the line is $1.8 billion, Higgins said. West Virginia does not receive any power from the line, however they have to have it, he said. Allegheny Power customer rates will be increased enough to repay the cost of building and maintaining PATH.

The question of health issues also is a concern with the power line's placement. According to the Web site www.powerlinefacts.com, there are some related health risks. A major new study found that children who live within 200 meters of an overhead power line have a 70 percent increased risk of leukemia. Children who live 200 to 600 meters away from power lines have a 20 percent increased risk.

The Upshur County Board of Education recently voted to oppose PATH due to the fact it would be within 1,000 feet of the Washington District Elementary School at Tallmansville. The line will also pass close to the West Virginia Wildlife Center at French Creek.

At the end of the meeting, Rank handed out information to those in attendance about the PATH project.

In other business, the "Know Your Neighbor" program was presented by Glen Hawkins, owner of the Rock Cave IGA, who also provided a brief history of his business. Sharon McNemar won the drawing for a gift certificate from Rock Cave IGA.