| Allegheny Energy and AEP have told the state Public Service Commission they are willing to move a decision date on the PATH project from the current June, 2010 deadline to January 25, 2011, a delay of 217 days.
Bill Howley, a leader in the PATH project opposition, called it "a major victory," linked to the work of about 250 interventors who have taken a pro-active approach against the mega-billion dollar project.
"Rather than risking a complete dismissal of the case, the power companies blinked and decided to ask for a delay," said Howley.
But there may be a shiny object at the end of the process.
Attorneys for the West Virginia Public Service Commission recently called on the commission to dismiss the project because the Maryland Public Service Commission did the same earlier this year with AEP's and Allegheney's applications.
Attorneys for PATH called the PSC staff attorney's request for dismissal "make-weight, speculative, and illogical." They say the companies will soon refile in Maryland.
The companies want to construct a giant tower, high voltage transmission line from the John Amos Power Plant in Putnam County, through Calhoun and several central counties into the eastern panhandle, ending in Kemptown, Maryland.
Most county commissions have gone on record against the project, based on costs being picked-up by consumers.
A number of studies are saying there is a significant reduction in demand for electric power in the eastern corridor, a pattern that is continuing over the past few years.
Howley expressed concern the power companies have laid "A shiny long barreled .44 on the table," using Vice-President Dick Cheny's action during the Bush years for total federal control of the project, meaning that any local or state opposition would be ignored.
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