AEP, Allegheny File New Application to Build PATH in Virginia

American Electric Power and Allegheny Energy last week said they filed a new application with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) to build the Virginia segment of the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH).

The filing incorporates information and analyses by PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission authority that recommends construction of PATH by mid-2015. According to a joint release from the companies, PJM Interconnection reportedly said the line would be needed to address a number of “serious violations of the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s reliability standards that are projected to occur within PJM’s fifteen-year planning horizon, if PATH is not built.”

“Based on its consideration of alternatives evaluated to date, PJM asserts that the PATH project continues to be the optimal resolution to these violations,” the companies said. “If PATH is not built, line overloads and voltage-related issues could trigger blackouts and brownouts in the region by mid-2015. The PATH companies have incorporated the same information into their existing applications in Maryland and West Virginia.” PJM reportedly evaluated PATH against several alternatives and found it to be the most comprehensive solution.

In May 2009, Allegheny Energy affiliate PATH Allegheny Virginia Transmission Corporation filed its original Virginia application to build the 31-mile segment in Frederick, Clarke, and Loudoun counties, but it was authorized by the SCC in January 2010 to withdraw its request to allow time for PJM’s comprehensive review of system needs as part of its 2010 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan process.

Affiliates of AEP and Allegheny are seeking authorization to construct a 275-mile, 765-kV transmission project extending from the Amos substation in Putnam County, W.Va., to a proposed substation in Frederick County, Md.

Sources: AEP, Allegheny, PJM Interconnection