Testimony of PEC's Expert Witnesses
In December 2007, Piedmont Environmental Council submitted the testimony of nine expert witnesses to the VA State Corporation Commission. These witnesses outline the many reasons this transmission line application should be denied by the SCC.
Dr. Hyde Merrill has a doctorate in electrical engineering from MIT and has been a power system planner for over 20 years. His review shows that the line is not needed and would only lead to increasing reliance on remote coal-fired power plants.
Dr. Sovacool demonstrates that the addition of more high voltage transmission lines actually reduces the stability of the electric grid and would damage rather than enhance our national security.
Dr. Violette critiques Dominion's demand side reduction program and shows how Virginia could reduce energy use 10%, eliminating any need for additional transmission in Northern Virginia.
Dr. Hill, head of the Landscape Architecture program at University of Virginia School of Architecture, critiques the Dominion and Allegheny analysis of detrimental impact on scenic assets.
PEC's GIS Specialist Watsun Randolph prepared maps which show the potential areas impacted by both proposed transmission line routes, including portions of Skyline Drive, Civil War battlefields, Historic Districts and Scenic Rivers.
Mr. Harvey's mass appraisal analysis shows there will be substantial uncompensated damage to property owners all along the proposed transmission line route.
Ms. Abe reviews the damages that the transmission lines could inflict on the cultural and scenic assets along the proposed routes, specifically in Fauquier County.
Ms. Hallock reviews the damages that the transmission lines could inflict on cultural and scenic assets along the proposed routes, specifically in Rappahannock County.
Mr. Sheerin confirms that undergrounding is technically feasible and used by utilities in the US and around the world in many cases including preservation of environmentally significant areas.
