Reliability has been seeking comment from the public on

Reliability has been seeking comment from the public on a Northeast “national interest” electric transmission corridor designation, covering a broad swath of millions of acres from New York state to Viiginia, ending in the Piedmont. Its draft National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) designation covers over 200 counties on the east coast, including 15 counties and seven cities in Virginia. Dominion has lobbied vigorously for the corridor.

Dominion Power gave more money and gifts to Virginia state officeholders in 2006 than any other contributor, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Dominion bestowed $26,782 to state officials last year.

Dominion gave the most to State Senator Wiliam Wampler (R-Bristol), the chair of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. Wampler received a $1,537 hunting trip, three dinners and a private plane trip to Richmond from Dominion in 2006. Wampler’s committee is currently handling legislation that will restore some state regulation to electric utility—legislation that would significantly affect Dominion.

Wampler’s committee is currently handling legislation that will restore some state regulation to electric utility—legislation that would significantly affect Dominion. Wampler told The Times the gifts don’t present a conflict of interest.

“I don’t see it as a conflict, I see it as a great opportunity,” Wampler said. “Anytime I have an opportunity to sit down and visit with a chief executive officer and a chairman of a board of a major Virginia company, I will take that opportunity every time.”

David Botkins, Dominion’s spokesman, reinforced Wampler’s comments by stating that their 2006 contributions are not out of the norm. “We have a veiy strict policy of reporting all of our lobbying expenses and everything is disclosed and in plain view.”

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