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tees, discussing the budget shortfall and pointing to signs of a cooling economy.
“Virginia is entering its fifth year of economic expansion,” he said in prepared remarks. “But we are now seeing the signs of slower rates of growth in jobs and income, and we expect moderate growth in the overall economy.”
Governor Kaine blamed the revenue shortfall largely on a struggling housing market, which reduced revenue from home sale taxes and corporate taxes. But Kaine also said that more conservation tax refunds contributed to reduced revenue.
“Slowing income growth, together with increased utilization of the land presersize
of the business, to join the chamber.
When it was his chance to speak, Irwin encouraged the SCC to require that the line be built underground - if it is built at all. He said the technology for burying lines already exists and underground lines ensure a more reliable electricity supply, as they are less susceptible to natural disasters. Building lines aboveground also makes them a potential target for terrorism, Irwin said.
Finally, he said more power lines will hurt tourism in the area, which boasts scenery as one of its prime tourist draws.
What’s next
Now that the public hearings are over, the power-line issue transitions mainly into the hands of the organizations and counties that have registered to be official parties at the SCO’s proceedings in January in Richmond.
In the meantime, people can submit their opinions on the power-line proposal in writing to the SCC, which will accept written comments through Dec. 14. People who spoke at the public hearings can still submit further comments.
“We hope people who are going to be impacted by this in real terms ... will continue to express their opinions to the SCC in writing,” said Bob Lazaro, PEC’s director of communications.
The rest of the action taken in the coming months will be on the part of the jurisdictions, citizen groups and environmental organizations who either support or oppose the new transmission corridor. Several parties will be involved and the eviden
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