5 Don Corwin, John Balasko and TrAIL project: Allegheney power plans spark local opposition to TrAIL

May 04, 2008 (The Dominion Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- -- Allegheny Energy has said the Trans Allegheny Interstate Line project will be good for West Virginia and is a necessary part of the nation's electricity grid.

Allen Staggers, an Allegheny spokesman, said the company has a legal responsibility to maintain reliability and deliver electricity to its customers. Infrastructure additions, such as the Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line project, are part of that obligation.

Under the leadership of President Don Corwin and Vice President John Balasko, the Halleck Community Association has brought attention to Allegheny Energy's proposed 240-mile, 500-kilovolt power line that could cross six West Virginia counties if approved by the state's Public Service Commission.

"Don and John work tirelessly researching the issues and educating themselves in order to bring information to the public about Allegheny Energy's plans," said Edie Jett, a member of the Halleck Community Association. "Without their dedication, the project would have steamrolled through Monongalia County without any resistance."

The Laurel Run Watershed Community Association has worked closely with Corwin and Balasko to oppose the power line project.

"Don and John have certainly been very diligent and worked very hard for the folks over there in the Halleck community," said Lew McDaniel, spokesman for Laurel Run.

If approved by the PSC, the project would start in Pennsylvania, pass through West Virginia and continue to northern Virginia.

"This power line project is the first of many more to come," Corwin said. "West Virginians must stand up to protect their own interests and ensure that we, not the corporate executives, benefit from any exploitation of our resources."

Jim Kotcon, a spokesman for the Sierra Club, had high praise for Corwin and Balasko.

"Both of those gentlemen have made significant contributions to saving Allegheny's ratepayers money and for protecting the quality of life in Monongalia County," he said.

Corwin and Balasko have tried to convince federal and state officials to oppose the project, with some success.

They're "raising the awareness of this issue among the public and elected officials by making it clear that this power line project is a bad deal for West Virginia," Corwin said.

Staggers said the need for the TrAIL facilities is driven by load growth in the Mid-Atlantic and Northern Virginia areas of PJM, as well as the southwestern Pennsylvania portion of Allegheny Power's zone, including the everexpanding Pittsburgh suburbs.

Staggers said the benefits to the West Virginia economy also include an estimated 700 jobs during the construction phase (2007-11). There is also the potential that more coal used in power plants will come from West Virginia.

The Halleck Community Association remains unconvinced.

"We are of course hopeful that the commissioners will conclude that there are viable alternatives to TrAIL and deny TrAILCo a certificate that grants eminent domain," Balasko said, "but should they decide to approve its construction, our options will be to request a rehearing and to appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court.

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