Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 1 of 3 · from the scan, no model involved
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2006
Our View
Power over
Hallowed
Ground
Dominion Virginia Power is in the midst of a
series of informational meetings regarding the
options for the proposed new power line that u ould cross northern Fauquier County.
Unfortunately, Fauquier County doesn’t get any benefits from the electrical transmission lines, the 15story towers, or the 150-foot wide right-of-way, which will permanently scar the viewshed in some of our most beautiful countryside, reduce our land value tax base, destroy private property and diminish our county’s historic and natural resources forever.
Unfortunately for the power companies, they will have to face a firestorm of opposition from individuals and well-organized citizens’ groups who have already spent many years and millions of dollars to protect what they hold dear in our county. It is unlikely that Dominion Virginia/Allegheny Power have ever gone up against groups that are more experienced, better financed, connected — and determined — than these folks. Remember Disney?
No one doubts that the impact of this power line on Fauquier County will be huge — and negative; it’s highly unlikely that the power companies will be able to change anyone’s opinions around here. The actual need, motivation and execution of the proposal, as well as the power companies’ commitment to manage demand, are already being questioned. And lightly so.
In the coming months, both sides will be presenting compelling arguments, and you can expect the citizens’ groups to challenge the power companies on every detail they present — from the increased power demand estimates they are using to the financial return the new lines would generate. Arid that’s befor e we get into state and federal politics, and the ugly issue of private businesses attempting to acquire property through imminent domain. Remember Kelo v City of New London?
In the end, if such a line is found to be truly justified in the public interest, it should be placed underground in sensitive areas that would be harmed by the towers and the lines they carry.
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