Dominion Power, PJM, the regional transmission operator, and Allegheny continue to insist that the proposed power tower line through Hunt Country is the only solution to projected power shortfalls is this region. According to Virginians for Sensible Energy Policies, their attorney, Brian Greene of SeltzerGreene, who re-opened SCC hearing so results of PJM's recent Reliability Pricing Model auction could be incorporated into testimony.

The auction is undertaken to determine the availability of additional power generation and savings from demand response or conservation. The auction generated a very significant increase of 1169 megawatts from demand response in the eastern PJM territory which includes Dominion Power, and undermine one of Dominion's key assertions that demand response is a largely untested solution which cannot be counted on to relieve the power shortfall.

These findings underscore VSEP's position that alternative power sources, improved conservation and better technology could solve the problems the region faces.

"We hope that the Hearing Examiner will fully consider the expert testimony demonstrating that these lines are unnecessary, environmentally damaging, abusive to landowners and expensive for ratepayers," emphasized a VSEP spokesman.

For more information, please visit www.EnergyPolicies.org.