For Immediate Release:

Contact: Robert Lazaro
PEC Director of Communications
571.225.0198 (cell)
540.338.0366 (home)

PEC Statement in Response to VA SCC Conditional Approval of Transmission Line

(Warrenton, VA - July 28, 2008) PEC is disappointed in the recommendation by Hearing Examiner Skirpan. Our experts are reviewing the Hearing Examiner's report and we will urge the SCC Commissioners to reject the proposed transmission line.

The recommendation and accompanying report of SCC Hearing Examiner Skirpan recognizes the regional nature of the proposed 500kv transmission line, suggesting approval be contingent upon approval of segments in West Virginia and Pennsylvania by utility commissions in those states. Unfortunately, the Hearing Examiner relied on PJM's planning criteria and assertions as to the possibility of NERC reliability violations in 2011, giving every benefit of the doubt to Dominion and PJM. If the SCC Commissioners follow the Hearing Examiner's recommendation, Dominion will be able to condemn private land and public values and pass on the costs to ratepayers for a project that is more about increasing utility profits than meeting reliability needs efficiently.

PEC and other Respondents hired transmission engineers, economists and national security experts to examine the underlying claim of need for this transmission line. The consensus of these independent experts is that the need for this line is exaggerated. Local governments and private individuals were forced to expend millions of dollars so that these claims could be scrutinized. Citizens of the Commonwealth and the region may not be so fortunate in future applications. The State Corporation Commission should have the capacity to fully examine the data underlying applications for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity without being forced to rely upon the assertions of PJM.

"This matter has always been a David v. Goliath challenge for PEC," said Christopher Miller, President of PEC. "We fully intend to pursue all of our opportunities for comment and appeal."

"The extraordinary effort that has been undertaken by all of the parties opposed to this unneeded transmission line is forcing Dominion Virginia Power to be a better utility", Miller continued. "We are heartened by the new conservation and efficiency efforts Dominion has initiated, and we are working to expand on them."