
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 11, 1994                   TAG: 9406170133
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

RESIDENTS OPPOSE POWER LINE

A group of residents fighting a proposed power line in Southside Virginia vowed this week to take their case to the Virginia Supreme Court.

The group, called HELP Southside Inc., filed a notice of intent to appeal the State Corporation Commission's approval of a 500,000-volt transmission line proposed by Virginia Power, a unit of Dominion Resources Inc. of Richmond.

Several groups are fighting a similar proposal by Appalachian Power Co. to build a 765,000-volt transmission line from Wyoming, W.Va., to Cloverdale. Apco says the huge power line is needed to maintain reliable service as demand continues to grow in its customer area.

Opponents contend that line would harm the environment and is economically unnecessary.

HELP Southside President Bill Duggins said his group opposes the Virginia Power line on similar grounds, saying needed transmission lines could be built along existing rights of way.

The 75.5-mile line would transmit electricity from Virginia Power's new Clover Power Plant in Halifax County to Carson in Dinwiddie County.

HELP Southside has retained William Bilenky, a Richmond-based lawyer who also represents the Apco opponents.

A state official has recommended that the Apco line be approved, but the SCC has not ruled on the matter. Apco has not reapplied to the ruling agency in West Virginia, which twice has rejected the company's proposal.

by CNB