HARRISBURG, Aug. 8, 2007 – State Sen. J. Barry Stout reminds interested parties that the state Public Utility Commission (PUC) will hold 12 public hearings on Allegheny Energy’s Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company (TrAILCo) application to build a new, high-voltage transmission line in southwestern Pennsylvania.
“It is critical for everyone who possibly can to testify at one of the scheduled hearings,” said Stout (D-Washington/Greene/Beaver/ Allegheny/Westmoreland). “The PUC will be considering health, safety, and environmental concerns, as well as the necessity of this new power line.”
Since the initial announcement, the PUC has decided to hold two Greene County hearings at new locations to maximize convenience for the public. The updated hearing schedule is:
- Aug. 29, 2007 – Washington County Fair & Expo Center, Building 2
- Aug. 30, 2007 – Washington County Fair & Expo Center, Building 2
- Sept. 5, 2007 – Greensboro Volunteer Fire Department - 1 p.m.
- Sept. 5, 2007 – Carmichaels High School Auditorium - 7 p.m.
- Sept. 6, 2007 – Waynesburg College, Miller Hall, Third Floor
- Sept. 19, 2007 – Washington County Fair & Expo Center, Building 2
- Sept. 20, 2007 – Washington County Fair & Expo Center, Building 2
There will be two hearings on each date – an afternoon session at 1 p.m. and an evening session at 7 p.m.
The PUC commissioners and presiding administrative law judges will base their decision, in part, on testimony provided. Citizens are, therefore, urged to participate by placing their views in the official record.
The Greene County Department of Planning and Development (724-852-5300) and the Washington County Planning Commission (724-228-6811), in conjunction with the Stop the Towers (stopaptrail.org) organization, will be working with individuals to determine which hearing will be most advantageous for them, while ensuring that all of the hearings are well-attended. In addition, both offices are planning workshops in Washington and Greene counties on August 21 and August 22, respectively, during which staff of the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate will be on hand to describe how the public input hearing process works and to provide advice on how to prepare testimony.
Stout is advising hearing participants to arrive early and sign in because witnesses will be called in order, according to the sign-in sheet. Stout also emphasized that witnesses are not required to submit written testimony; however, if they want to supply a written statement, they should be prepared with several copies.
“It is important that parties prepare what they are going to say beforehand,” said Stout. “It is a formal proceeding, but no one should be intimidated. The purpose of these hearings is to gather vital information about the proposed transmission line. I urge the public to take full advantage of these opportunities to make their voices heard on this important subject.”
Stout’s District Office can be reached at 724-225-5400 with questions.
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