ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, July 10, 1996 TAG: 9607100074
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
A coalition that supports American Electric Power Co.'s proposed 765,000-volt power line between Oceana, W.Va., and Cloverdale said this week it has 519 member groups, representing 273,000 people.
The Coalition for Energy and Economic Revitalization was formed in February 1993 with just more than 100 member groups to support the 115-mile power line. The coalition says the electricity the line will carry and the jobs it will create are needed badly.
The coalition said recent additions to its membership include: Painters Local 891 and Boilermakers Local 45 in Virginia and the Boone Memorial Hospital and Logan Development Authority in West Virginia.
Last December, in an interim ruling, the Virginia State Corporation Commission said the line appears to be needed for AEP to adequately serve its customers. But, last month, an environmental analysis by the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests said the line should not be allowed to cross federal forest land. The first public hearing on the Forest Service decision will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. July 31 at McCleary Elementary School in New Castle.
LENGTH: Short : 29 linesby CNB