In its ruling, the commission agreed with the recommended decision made in late July 2008 by a Virginia hearing examiner. Both the commission and the hearing examiner found that the 500kV line is necessary to resolve transmission system overloads projected to occur as soon as 2011.
The commission’s order is subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approval in the other states the Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line (TrAIL) will cross prior to beginning construction in Virginia. The West Virginia Public Service Commission approved the project in early August 2008.
Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company (TrAILCo) expects a decision from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission later 2008. TrAIL is targeted for completion in 2011 and will span Allegheny Power’s transmission zone from southwestern Pennsylvania through West Virginia to northern Virginia.
