Coal Companies Withdraw Transmission Line Plans

RICHMOND, Calif. — Two coal companies have withdrawn plans to install a transmission line through the Northeast.

Both companies conceeded that the demand for electricity in the East Coast cities was not there any time soon for construction of the Potomac Appalachian Transmission Highline.

“These developments raise questions about the ability of PATH-VA to support the Application now on file with the Commission that is based on the need for the PATH Project in 2014,” said the companies in filings to the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Conservation groups predicted the companies’ admission and applauded their withdraw plans.

“AEP (American Electric Power) and Allegheny Energy have been crying wolf to boost profits from dirty old coal plants,” said Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice attorney. “It’s no longer possible to take these companies seriously when they say that they need to increase dependence on coal-fired power to keep the lights on.”

The proposed $1.8 billion high-voltage PATH line would have run through West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland.

Experts testified that the proposed line would have not addressed energy efficiency or air pollution concerns in this corner of America.