Allegheny Power, AEP File Application For PATH Project With Maryland PSC

Published: 20-May-2009

By: Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer

Allegheny Power, the electric delivery business of Allegheny Energy, Inc. and American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) have filed application for the $1.8 billion Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) project in Maryland and Virginia on May 19, 2009. The 300 mile, 765 kV transmission line will pass from Charleston, West Virginia, to near Kemptown, located in southern Frederick County. Both the utilities have filed applications for the project in West Virginia on May 15, 2009.

The proposed path for the project has been disclosed by the two firms and will cover roughly 20 miles in Maryland.

Representatives of Allegheny Power have affirmed that the line would trail existing corridors with the exception of a two-mile part close to Urbana to avoid Little Bennett Creek.

Allegheny Power’s manager of external communications, Todd Meyers, asserted that he expects the Maryland PSC to give a verdict about the proposed path in roughly 12 months time. The PSC will evaluate all pertinent information and listen to public input on the proposal.

The utility firm conducted 24 open houses in three different states regarding the proposal, which at that time covered several possible alternate routes. Consulting engineer for PATH, Michael Gogol, stated that Allegheny Power representatives spent nearly 18 months examining potential routes by driving around the areas and using satellite maps.

Michael Hosier, Allegheny Power’s general manager for transmission projects, stated that he anticipates that construction activity will commence in late 2010 and finish by 2014.

Tell your friend about this article