Settlement May Resolve Power Line Dispute

Allegheny Power would call off plans to construct a new substation in Washington County, under a proposed settlement sent to the Public Utility Commission this week. But an Allegheny Power spokesman says the settlement would not resolve longer-term concerns about providing reliable service in the region.

Plans for the substation and 36 miles of high-voltage power lines had been met with resistance in Washington and Greene counties. Critics questioned the need for the power lines, and accused Allegheny Power of expanding in southwestern Pennsylvania only for the purpose of sending electricity to energy-hungry northern Virginia. Allegheny Power says an independent consultant has confirmed the need for more power in Washington County. But instead of building the Prexy substation, the settlement calls for the construction of a large pole in Bethel Park, which would allow Allegheny Power to connect its lines to others owned by Duquesne Light.

Allegheny Power spokesman David Neurohr says there's a broader problem that utilities around the country have to address: how to meet an ever-increasing demand for power. He says there haven't been any major upgrades to the power grid for about 30 years. Since then, a lot more people have purchased a lot more electronic gadgets, like computers and flat-screen televisions.