211525-48112 A

Home , Cacapon Mountain, Sleepy Creek Mountain

~NDDISTRICT, WEST VIRGINIA 202-225-271 I

4815 MACCORKLEAVE.

COMMITTEEON FINANCIALSERVICES CHARLESTON,W.V. 25304 RANKINGMCMBER, p%nmfeof*rnrn% 304-925-5964 SUeCOMMITTE. ON HOUO,NG/\ND CoMM"NlrrO..oRi"Nlrr 300 FOXCROFTAVE. SUITE I02 COMMITTEEAND INFRASTRUCTURE ON TRANSPORTATION ~&@X@UIX, 211525-48112 MARTINSBURG.W.V. 25401 304-264-8810 October 14,2008 WWW.HOUSE.GOV/CAPlTO Sandra Squire Executive Secretary Public Service Commission of West Virginia 201 Brooks Street PO Box 82 Charleston, WV 25323 n Dear Ms. Squire,

Recently, constituents of mine contacted my office with concerns regarding the proposed Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline. After reading their correspondence, I took the liberty of forwarding their information and copies of the letters to you so it may be handled more directly.

Thank you for your time and effort. Please direct your response directly to each constituent. If you have any questions, please feel free to call my office at 202-225-271 1.

Sinc ere1y,

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PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 1. Mr. Ray Godfrey & Edith Armstrong I 1. Amy Coale 127 Cheyennes Trail 103 Sedona Court Gerrardstown, WV 25420 Martinsburg, WV 25403 c=) c3 4 2. Dr. Paul Z. Bodnar, M.D. 12. Samuel E. Cobert, Jr. 301 Edgevale Road 6496 Lancaster Dr. =c, Baltimore, MD 2 1210 Warrenton, Va 201 87 3

c L 3. Dr. Paul Z. Bodnar, M.D. 0 c>P 13. Dina Coe rn mCD Cacapon Mountain 742 Cams Neck Lane Tract I1 Great Cacapon, WV 25422 Great Cacapon, WV 25422

14. Linda Crawford 4. Sarah Bodnar 42 11 Posey Hollow Road PO Box 52 Berkeley Springs Great Cacapon, WV 25422 West Virginia 2541 1

5. David Boslaugh 15. Dr. Steve Fields 1283 Ungers Store Road 175 Sojourner Lane Berkeley Springs, WV 2541 1 Shepherdstown, WV 25443

6. Harold J. Bright 16. Colin F. Gload HC62 BOX90-A1 1758 Kessel Rd Great Cacapon, WV 25422 Great Cacapon, WV 25422

7. Fran Brolle 17. Taylor Gload 365 Leisure Way 1758 Kessel Rd Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Great Cacapon, WV 25422

8. Jill Anne Burkhart 18. David Griffiths Rural Route 1, Box 138C 181 Iris Mountain Lane Martinsburg, WV 2540 1 Berkeley Springs, WV 2541 1

9. Robert Lee Burkhart 19. Lori Kellner Rural Route 1, Box 140 52 Edgegrove Street Martinsburg, WV 2540 1 Edison, NJ 08837

10. Mary Carpenter 20. Joel Kelty 2146 Cheyennes Trail 0 Briary Bottom Lane Gerrardstown, WV 25420 Great Cacapon, WV 25422 21. Michaela Kursey 499 Kurseys Ford Hedgesville, WV 25427

22. Carolyn Reineke Matthews P.O. Box 640 Gerrardstown,WV 25420-8002

23. Keryn Newman 6 Ella Drive Shepherdstown, WV 25443

24. Tina Rappaport HC 88 Box 216A Chloe, WV 25235

25. Patti Shanklin Environmental Chair PO Box 119 River Ridge Association, Inc. Berkeley Springs, WV 25411

26. Iver Steele 23 14 Cheyennes Trail Gerrardstown, WV 25420

27. Angela Steffey 226 Leisure Way Shepherdstown, W 25443

28. Mercedes Tibbits 4726 Rock Ford Road Great Cacapon, WV 25422

29. Dave and Amelia West 1758 Kessel Road Great Cacapon, WV 25422

September 1,2008 The Honorable Shelley Moore Capito US House of Representatives 3 Washington, DC 205 I5 PREVIOUSLY 3 77 eJ 2 ACKNOWLEDGED --v 5 00 ASTOUNDED. mrn ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDED. I am a citizen of Maryland but I own land for the last 4 years on Cacapon Mountain, West Virginia, and have been traveling to my property and Berkeley Springs approximately 20 times per year in the last 4 years. I have also brought friends and family to the area, and they have been actively looking into locating vacation properties. I am a West Virginia tax payer, and one of your constituents. I learned on Wednesday August 13 of a new last-minute proposal by Allegheny Power, line #72 4 for PATH. This proposal runs High Voltage Power Lines across the full face of Cacapon Mountain, just above the unsullied Cacapon River, just below the important and protected State Park ..... and obstructs views and access to the Washington Heritage Trail. The environmental impact would be devastating. I. The Cacapon River is one of very few clean waterways in our country. It is rated in the top 10 in the US. It is a tourist and local resident destination and haven. Line placement on the river side of this mountain wouM cut endless numbers of feeder streams, would pollute the river with run-off and pesticides, would injure and destroy numerous protected plants and animals that make this matheir home. 2. The Cacapon Mountain: It was the clear intent of the Morgan County Planning Commission to preserve this pristine mountain. Individual homeowner lots were sold in the past four years only under very strict zoning restrictions, including minimum 50 acre lots and not more than one home per lot. Proposed Route 72 Electric lines flies in the face of these decisions and obligations. 3. Legal and Moral Obligations: No environmental impact study has been performed. There are numerous other line paths, along existing electric rights of way, that would provide appropriate, and easier routing for these new high voltage lines..... without destroying this extraordinarily rare, important and fragile environment. This proposal may in fact invite lawsuits from environmental groups and recent property owners against the electric company and even the county and local zoning boards. Allegheny Power must abandon proposed route 72 immediately.

Please let me know as soon as possible how you intend to proceed in these regards, and how you will protect our homeland and our environment from this particularly unreasonable invasion. Sincerely,

Cacapon Kfountain, Tract lz Great Cacapon, West Virginia 25422 and 301 Edgevale Road Baltimore, Maryland 21210

September 1,2008

ASTOUNDED. ASSOLUTELY ASTOUNDED. I am a citizen of Maryland but I own land for the last 4 years on Cacapon Mountain, West Virginia, and have been traveling to my property and Berkeley Springs approximately 20 times per year in the last 4 years. I have also brought fiiends and family to the area, and they have been actively looking into locating vacation properties. I am a West Virginia tax payer, and one of your constituents. I teamed on Wednesday August 13 of a new last-minute proposal by Allegheny Power, line #72 1 for PATH. This proposal runs High Voltage Power Lines across the fill face of Cacapon Mountain, just above the unsullied Cacapon River, just below the important and protected State Park ..... and obstructs views and access to the Washington Heritage Trail. The environmental impact would be devastating. 1. The Cacapon River is one of very few cIean waterways in our country. It is rated in the top 10 in the US. It is a tourist and local resident destination and haven. Line placement on the river side of this mountain would cut endless numbers of feeder streams, would pollute the river with run-off and pesticides, would injure and destroy numerous protected plants and animals that make this area their home. 2. The Cacapon Mountain: It was the clear intent of the Morgan County Planning Commission to preserve this pristine mountain. Individual homeowner lots were sold in the past four years only under very strict zoning restrictions, including minimum 50 acre lots and not more than one home per lot. Proposed Route 72 Electric lines flies in the face of these decisions and obligations. 3. Legal and Moral Obligations: No environmental impact study has been performed. There are numerous other line paths, along existing electric rights of way, that would provide appropriate, and easier routing for these new high voltage lines..... without destroying this extraordinarily rare, important and fragile environment. This proposal may in fact invite lawsuits from environmental groups and recent property owners against the electric company and even the county and local zoning boards. Allegheny Power must abandon proposed route 72 immediately.

Please let me know as soon as possible how you intend to proceed in these regards, and how you will protect our homeland and our environment From this particularly unreasonable invasion. Sincerely,

Great Cacapon, West Virginia 25422 and 301 Edgevale Road Baltimore, Maryland 2 I2 10 PR ENO USLY Dear Representative Capito, ACKNOWLEDGED

As you probably know, AEP and Allegheny Power are proposing a new 500 kV transmission power line through northern West Virginia. I am writing because I vehemently oppose these lines and, most especially, proposed PATH #72 through the Cacapon Mountain.

The Cacapon Mountain is watershed area, recreation area, and has great historical significance. The proposed path #72 would run the entire length of the Cacapon Mountain, one of the most beautiful places in the Northeastern panhandle. PATH #72 would destroy countless homes, natural forests, streams, waterfalls, clear rivers, homes for animals, and fresh drinking water from the communities on the mountain and in the valley below. It would destroy a pristine ecosystem forever.

The proposed power line PATH #72 would clear cut over 300 acres on our mountain. The land would be stripped of its trees and covered repeatedly with herbicides each year. The land now exposed to erosion would send dirt, debris and silt into the beautiful, clear Cacapon River where we swim, fish, and canoe. This silt and runoff would flow directly into the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay. Our beautiful mountain has over 23 blueline rivers that run into the Cacapon River 1,000 feet below and just a mile or two before it intersects the Potomac. It is unconscionable to consider path #72 when a power line path already exists. The power lines should follow the existing route if they must go through WV.

George Washington surveyed this land and rode it often on horseback during his regular visits the spa in Berkeley Springs, WV. He wrote in his memoirs about his rides to the rock on top of Cacapon Mountain and the views that he cherished so much. We bought this land to preserve it and this viewshed for future generations. If PATH #72 is allowed, this view would be replaced with towers 13 stories high and a swath cut across the mountain about 2 football fields wide. This is unthinkable and must be stopped.

PATH # 72 is the worst possible choice and has the most devastating environmental impact. Please help us eliminate PATH # 72.

Very sincerely,

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Dear Representative Capito,

As you probably know, AEP and Allegheny Power are proposing-. a new 500 kV transmission power line through northern West Virginia. I am writing because I vehemently oppose these lines and, most especially, proposed PATH #72 through the Cacapon Mountain.

It is unconscionable to consider path #72 when a power line path already exists. The power lines should follow the existing route if they must go through WV.

George Washington surveyed this land and rode it often on horseback during his regular visits the spa in Berkeley Springs, WV. He wrote in his memoirs about his rides to the rock on top of Cacapon Mountain and the views that he cherished so much. We bought this land to preserve it and this viewshed for future generations. if PATH #72 is allowed, this view would be replaced with towers 13 stories high and a swath cut across the mountain about 2 football fields wide. This is unthinkable and must be stopped.

PATH # 72 is the worst possible choice and has the most devastating environmental impact. Please help us eliminate PATH # 72.

Very sincerely,

XI n 0 m a <--.- 3 n b3

DAVID L. BOSLAUGH 1283 Ungers Store Road Berkeley Springs, West Virginia 2541 1 TELEPHONE (304) 258-7654 23 August 2008 Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito U.S. House of Representatives PR €VIO USLY Washington, DC 205 15-4802 ACKNOWLEDGED Dear Congresswoman Capito: On 14 August 2008 Allegheny Power, in Berkeley Springs, WV, revealed their plans for their Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) project for a high voltage power line running through Morgan County West Virginia. Thomas Edison said the cheapest way to transport electrical power is in a cod car, so it seems to me that if the East Coast cities are going to need more electrical power in the fhture, the needed generating capacity should be built near the consumers rather than to send the power through an expensive and destructive 290 mile “extension cord” from West Virginia. Morgan County is 82% forested, and if we assume that this proposed 290 mile long transmission Iine will traverse through land that is only 50% forested it will cause the destruction of over 3,500 acres of forest land because of the 200-foot cleared cut it needs. Growing forests are very efficient at absorbing and storing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide which is now acknowledged to be the primary cause of global warming. This nation should be planting many more forests to help ward off global warming, rather than wholesale cutting them down for an unneeded high tension power line. In our own case, Route # 78 of the proposed power line will pass directly through our 61 acres near Unger, WV, will pass approximately 500 feet from our home, and will require the destruction of more than eight acres of our WV State sponsored managed forest land. It is hard to assess the deleterious effect on our property value, but no one is ever going to want to buy 61 acres of forest property with a high tension power line running through the middle of it. Congresswoman Capito, please help us keep this poorly conceived power line project from destroying a large amount of beautiful property, as well as our property values, in Morgan County, West Virginia. Sincerely,

David L. Boslaugh

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=2, 9 3 rn c3 Q3 Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 205 15-4802

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From: "Write your representative"

DATE : August 18, 2008 05:46 AM NAME : Amy Coale ADDRl : 103 Sedona Ct ADDR2 : ADDR3 : CITY: Martinsburg STATE : West Virginia - ZIP : 25403 PHONE : 304 -274-0075 EMAIL : amell04yahoo.com msg : I know that a staffer is reading this but I'm really hoping that it will get to you somehow. I don't know where to turn so I'm trying every avenue I can think of. My husband and I moved our young family to Berkeley county WV from Carroll county MD a little over 18 mos ago. We have loved it but now Allegheny power wants to put high power lines right through our development and to make it worse it looks like they will be very close to our dream house. I'm a stay at home morn to 2 young children ages 2 and 4. We moved here for them, because we believed that living in a development with clean air and room to run is important. If the power company is allowed to build these new lines for the benefit of Frederick MD it will take everything away from my family, every reason we moved from MD in the first place will be gone. We will have to move (and I will not stay in Wv if the state lets this happen) Our house has already lost a lot of value thanks to the market and the fact that gas prices are so high people are not making the same move we made to WV, but my house will be worth NOTHING with lines running right by it. My kids won't be able to play outside because of the danger. The power company already has lines running through and I just even with all my college degrees can't figure out why they need to make a new path for these new lines. They could just fallow the same path and not disrupt anymore or the beautiful county side of West Virginia I need someone help, I'm writing everyone I can. I have submitted my issues to Allegheny Power. But I'm not going to set back and think that is enough. I know you are busy and this isn't your thing, I'm only one small homeowner but this is for my kid and all of the other children that live near me (almost every house has a few children ages 10 mos. to 13 year). Please help

Thank you Amy Coale

23 rra mc3 II- a;: m D 03 From: "Write your representative" [email protected]> Date: 9/26/2008 7:19:31 PM To: [email protected] Subject: WriteRep Responses

DATE : September 26, 2008 6:20 PM NAME : Samuel E. Cobert Jr. ADDRl : 6496 Lancaster Dr. ADDR2 : ADDR3 : CITY: Warrenton, VA 20187 STATE : West Virginia ZIP : 25411 PHONE : (540) 347-1970 EMAIL : [email protected] msg : Madam ,

Simply put: I agree with STOP PATH.

I am presently a resident of Virginia, however I own 20 acres south of Berkeley Springs. I was looking forward to becoming a resident of WVA and bring my business with me. Now it seems that the future is looking dim.

Respectfully, Samuel. E. Cobert Jr.

6496 Lancaster Dr. Warrenton, VA 20187 (540)347-1970 (540) 729-4315 [email protected] From: "Write your representative" Date: 9/18/2008 4:34:16 PM To: [email protected] Subject: WriteRep Responses

DATE : September 18, 2008 4:18 PM NAME : Dina Coe 'ADDR1: 742 Cann's Neck Way ADDR2 : ADDR3 : CITY: Great Cacapon STATE : West Virginia ZIP : 25422 -- PHONE : EMAIL : msg : The unspeakable National Interest Electric Corridor laws must be repealed! Utilities must not take private property for their own profits! There is no excuse for these laws when global warming, the worst threat ever posed to human society, demands the energy conservation that in turn would eliminate any need to raise rates.

Sincerely,

Dina Coe

c, 0 -4 73 c* m cr) c) -m ZD .Q 3 m CY 06 From: "Write your representative" [email protected]> Date: 8/12/2008 6:01:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: WriteRep Responses

DATE : August 12, 2008 5:34 PM NAME : LINDA CRAWFORD ADDRl : 4211 POSEY HOLLOW ROAD ADDR2 : ADDR3 : BERKELEY SPR,INGS CITY: WEST VIRGINIA 25411 STATE : West Virginia ZIP : 25411 PHONE : 3 04 25 8 3 661 EMAIL : [email protected] msg : Thank you for having the goodness to keep me informed by telephone of your plans. I now must ask, beg, plead for your help in dissuading Allegheny Power and conglomerates to despoil the southern end of Sleepy Creek Mountain in Morgan County by placing a high voltage power line with 132 foot high towers and 200 foot wide easements. You have visited our county and I know you must have seen how beautiful our surroundings are. How can we preserved this beauty for the generations after us? We are entrusted with the care of our environment and we just cannot continue to allow such rampant destruction of the natural beauty around us. Allegheny is having another public meeting this Thursday, August 14, at the Best Western in Berkeley Springs, 5:OO to 8:OO pm. Can you possibly send a delegate from your office to attend this meeting??? All of us would be very grateful. I have lived here for 35 years on August 11, and we chose this area for its beauty, both of people and physical surroundings. Please help us. Thank you. Linda Crawford, 304-258- 3661.

P 3 .. PR EVI0 USLY ACKM 0WLEDGF; / SEP 0 9 2008 Colin F. Gload St. Mary’s College of Marylan

August 26,2008

Dear Hon. Alan / My name is Colin Gload. I am 19 years old and a sophomore at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. As you know, AEP and Allegheny Energy are proposing to construct a new 500 kV transmission power line through northern West Virginia. I am writing because I strongly oppose these lines and more specifically proposed PATH #72.

The proposed PATH #72 would run the entire length of the Caeapon Mountain, one of the most beautifid places that I have ever visited. PATH #72 wilf destroy countless homes, recreation areas, pristine forestland, clear rivers, homes for animals, fresh drinking water from the communities in the valley, and most especially, it will destroy a pristine ecosystem ,and our families new home.

My family owns 125 acres of land in the Cacapon area. 120 acres on the side of Cacapon Mountain where we are currently building our new home. The other 5 acres are on the riverfront of the Cacapon River. We come here to hike, fish, canoe, swim, hunt, and 4 wheel. My little brother and sister love to pick blackberries in the mountains and look,for ,bear prints. )We sit and watch shooting stars at night beside a campfire. I hope that1 will someday,beable to bring my children-here’toenjoy the same natural beauty of the mountain and river. a , *;

I am an avid fisherman and this is where I come to enjoy the beautiful, clear waters that are still untouched by modem civilization. It is one of the few areas that still exist in the Northeastern panhandle. It is truly wrong to consider PATH #72 when there is an existing route that can be followed. PATH #72 should be immediately eliminated from consideration.

Having spent a year at St. Mary’s College of Maryland on the St. Mary’s River and many more years in West Virginia on the Cacapon River, I understand more than ever just how important the forest land and clean waters are to our planet. The proposed power line PATH #72 would clearcut over 300 acres on our mountain. The land would be stripped of its trees and covered repeatedly with herbicides each year. The land would now be exposed to erosion which would send dirt, debris and silt into the beautiful, clear Cacapon River where we swim, fish, and canoe. This silt and moff would eventually end up in the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay. Our beautiful mountain has over 23 blueline rivers that run into the Cacapon River. This is the drinking water for the communities at the bottom of the mountain and all of the wildlife-thatlive here,

I. .I My generation has a great appreciation for the land and what carelessness does to an ecosystem. My generation must make big changes and advancements towards alternative power, stopping senseless destruction of our forest lands and rainforests, and cleaning up our air and water. Changes from what has been done by past generations. The time to start is now. We need to stop the senseless destruction of our forestland now.

Let this land, the Cacapon Mountain, stay untouched and magnificent. Let the new power lines follow the existing path of lines. This is a compromise when we should ultimately be focusing on solar and wind power. These are the energies of the fhture and they are free. Our new home on Cacapon Mountain is solar powered because it was better for the environment.

Please do the right thing and heip us help our planet. Please stop PATH #72.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Colin F. Gload

Colin F. Gload 1758 Kessel Road P.O. Box 254 Great Cacapon, WV 25422 My name is Taylor Gload. I am I6 years old and a junior in high s family owns land both on the Cacapon Mountain and on the Cacapon Rive to you to express my strong opposition to the proposed power lines, PATH and Allegany Power Company are planning to put through this area. This is spend our summers and where my parents plan to live.

My family bought this land for my 3 siblings and myself to come to and enjoy. We visit here all through the year to swim, fish, canoe, hike, camp, roast marshmallows, stargaze, watch animals, 4 wheel, and hunt. My parents are trying to show us what nature is all about when you take away the modem conveniences that ow generation is use to. At - the mountain, we have no phone, no cell service, no texting and no TV. It is actually nice to just enjoy nature in its most untouched state. It brings our family together in a way that we rarely do with our busy lives during the week..

Currently, we have a house under construction on the mountain. We are building a solar powered home because it is better for the environment. We did not want to cut any trees down needlessly, and now the power company wants to cut 22 acres of our trees down and tear down our new home.

Spending time at the Cacapon Mountain and on the River has shown me how important our forests and wildlife are to our planet. The proposed power line PATH #72 would clearcut over 300 acres on our mountain for a right of way the size of two football fields wide. The land would be stripped of its trees and erosion would send dirt, debris and silt into the beautiful, clear Cacapon River where we swim, fish, and canoe. This sediment and runoff would eventually end up in the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay. Our beautiful mountain has over 23 blueline rivers that run into the Cacapon River. This is the drinking water for the communities on and at the bottom of the mountain and all of the wildlife that live here.

I have been learning about saving the planet and global warming. This is important to my generation. We should be researching and using alternative energy, like solar and windpower. I want to have a beautiful area to bring my children to someday and a clean, clear river to swim and fish in. This recreation area would no longer exist for thousands who have come here year after year, for generations. I want my children to have the same opportunity to experience the natural wwder and beauty of the Cacapon Mountains. So few places like this still exist. Is it fair that we have had the gift of enjoying the Earth as we do now, only to desecrate the environment for the unborn who are powerless to voice their opinions in this matter? If PATH power line #72 is allowed, the environmental devastation is one that would last forever. They power lines should follow the existing route, if it must be built. It’s the only thing that makes sense.

Please stop PATH power line proposed route #72. This is the rigbt thing to do.

Sincerely,

Taylor Gload

1758 Kessel Road P.O.Box 254 Great Cacapon, WV 25422

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dPL*$h August 26,2008 Dear Congressman 4a11,

My name is Taylor Gload. I am 16 years old and a junior in high school. My family owns land both on the Cacapon Mountain and on the Cacapon River. I am writing to you to express my strong opposition to the proposed power lines, PATH #72, that AEP and Allegany Power Company are planning to put through this area. This is where we spend our summers and where my parents plan to live.

My family bought this land for my 3 siblings and myself to come to and enjoy. We visit here all through the year to swim, fish, canoe, hike, camp, roast marshmallows, stargaze, watch animals, 4 wheel, and hunt. My parents are trying to show us what nature is all about when you take away the modem conveniences that ow generation is use to. At - the mountain, we have no phone, no cell service, no texfing and no TV. It is actually nice to just enjoy nature in its most untouched state. It brings our family together in a way that we rarely do with our busy lives during the week..

Spending time at the Cacapon Mountain and on the River has shown me how important our forests and wildlife are to our planet. The proposed power line PATH #72 would clearcut over 300 acres on our mountain for a right of way the size of two football fields wide. The land would be stripped of its trees and erosion would send dirt, debris and silt into the beautifid, clear Cacapon River where we swim, fish, and canoe. This sediment and runoff would eventually end up in the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay. Our beautiful mountain has over 23 blueline rivers that run into the Cacapon River. This is the drinking water for the communities on and at the bottom of the mountain and all of the wildlife that live here.

I have been learning about saving the planet and global warming. This is important to my generation. We should be researching and using alternative energy, like solar and wind power. I want to have a beautihi area to bring my children to someday and a clean, clear river to swim and fish in. This recreation area would no longer exist for thousands who have come here year after year, for generations. I want my children to have the same opportunity to experience the natural wonder and beauty of the Cacapon Mountains. So few places like this still exist. Is it fair that we have had the gift of enjoying the Earth as we do now, only to desecrate the environment for the unborn who are powerless to voice their opinions in this matter? If PATH power line #72 is allowed, the environmental devastation is one that would last forever. They power lines should follow the existing route, if it must be built. It’s the only thing that makes sense.

Please stop PATH power line proposed route #72. This is the right thing to do.

Sincerely,

Taylor Gload

1758 Kessef Road P.O. Box 254 Great Cacapon, WV 25422

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8/21/08

Dear Congresswoman,

I am writing you about Allegheny Power’s plan to build the PATH power line in West Virginia. I live in Morgan County with my family. The PATH power line is proposed to run through our county. I am worried about the negative effects that this high voltage power line will have on the health of my family since it is planned to run close to my house. I also worry that the lime will compromise the environment of our county.

I have some proposals of my own. 1. Don’t build it at all. Encourage the people of New Jersey to conserve electricity. 2. Keep it out of Morgan County. I don’t feel that we need to be New Jersey’s conduit for power. 3. Propose to Allegheny Power to install solar panels on the tops of all of their existing power towers to create electricity. 4. Push for renewable energy sources that do not destroy West Virginis.

Thank YOU,

18 1 Iris Mountain Lane Berkeley Springs, W 25411

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From: "Write your representative" [email protected]> Date: 9/17/2008 12:02:33 PM To: [email protected] Subject: WriteRep Responses

DATE: September 17, 2008 11:55 AM NAME: Joel Kelty ADDRl: 0 Briary Bottom Lane ADDR2 : ADDR3 : CITY: Great Cacapon STATE: West Virginia ZIP: 25422 PHONE: 301-237-7376 EMAIL: [email protected] msg : I am writing to voice my opposition to any PATH transmission line running through Morgan County, West Virginia, and particularly Path 72 along Cacapon Mountain. There are other suitable routes that do not run through Morgan County and the proposed routes would have unacceptable adverse impacts on property values, the environment (especially route 72 the Cacapon River), human health, and the scenic landscape that attracts desperately needed tourism jobs and dollars to Morgan County.

I strongly encourage you to use your best efforts to remove any proposed routes through Morgan County (and especially path 72) from further consideration by PATH and the West Virginia Public Service Commission.

Sincerely,

Joel Kelty Great Cacapon, WV

301.237.7376 [email protected]

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d c3 4 F1 m a 3 # PR EVI 0US LY ACKNOWLEDGED

From: "Write your representative1! [email protected]> 1"2= Date: 10/8/2008 5:32:59 PM cp =Eo, To: [email protected] Subject: WriteRep Responses

DATE: October 8, 2008 4:42 PM NAME: Tina Rappaport ADDRl: HC 88 Box 216A ADDR2 : oom ADDR3 : ","Z 43 CITY: Chloe L-c, 0 -3 STATE: West Virginia ma ZIP: 25235-9719 PHONE: 304-655-0003 EMAIL: [email protected] msg : Please support legislation to reform the Public Service Commission, and to restore some balance to the rules governing the taking of private property in West Virginia. Senator John Hunter had a couple of good bills last session, but they did not pass, so please sign on to these.

Please do all you can, and influence all you can, to oppose the PATH powerline through our state.

The PATH powerline will further destroy beautiful West Virginia to benefit consumers in other states. We'd get more coal mining, more trees cut down through the mountains and more property values falling. Our beautiful state, scarred with this unneeded powerline will be "Wired and Hazardous" West Virginia instead of !!Wild and Wonderfulv1.

If power companies produced power locally to meet local needs, PATH would not be needed. Instead, power consumers in the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic states will benefit from \\cheap"coal in West Virginia to produce the electricity they do not want to produce themselves from resources they have locally like tidal forces, wind and solar energy... Coal is only \\cheapNin West Virginia because no one, particularly government regulators, is controlling the massive destruction of our state's land, water and people.

If consumers in other areas want/need more electricity, let them reap the benefits AND the deficits of producing it.

I am particularly concerned, as it looks like the PATH line will be going somewhere between my house and my greenhouse. A 300 foot swath would obliterate our homestead and we've worked too hard and too long to let this happen.

When and where can we come to visit with you and talk face to face about this issue? We can help plan a strategy to make you a champion of us little people!

My best, always, Tina Rappaport 304-655-0003 [email protected] t. 16601

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From: "Write your representative!! [email protected]> Date: 8/22/2008 2:32:00 PM To: [email protected] Subject: WriteRep Responses

DATE : August 22, 2008 2:04 PM NAME : Angela Steffey ADDRl : 226 Leisure Way ADDR2 : ADDR3 : CITY: Shepherdstown STATE : West Virginia ZIP : 25443-4227 PHONE : 304886-3760 EMAIL : [email protected] msg : Dear Ms. Capito, My neighborhood needs your assistance. We are on the proposed path of PATH(Potomac Appalachian Transmission Highline). Over 5 houses in our development of Leisure Acres in Shepherdstown are directly in the path of these lines. My husband,two children and myself just built a house next door to my parents in order to care for them. The proposed maps produced by PATH have really been a big blow to our small neighborhood. PATH so far has done a good job of keeping a low profile. We are all just waking up to the decisions that are being made without us reagrding our homes for electricity lines that West Virginian's are not the benificiary of.

Please contact me to provide some aid in this matter. Let this behavoir not continue in West Virginia. Out of state companies using our resources for their benifit and to our detriment. We are not !!Open for Buisness'! for power lines.

Thank-you for your time, Angela N. Steffey

35 3 PREVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED RECE VEB September 12,2008 Hon Shelley Moore Capito US House of Representatives “1oO8 DCT I6 21 Washington, DC 205 15 Dear Congresswoman Capito: c 0 Is4 M i s s ioM We are asking elected offici% ~~~~~~~~~~1~ 6s save our property k WV and the entire Cacapon MdnNdleyby opposing the new power line location through the Cacapon Mountain Recreation Area, just West of Cacapon State Park National Geographic Magazine rates ths among Amenca’s outstanding beauty spots. The owners in and around the Berkeley Springs/Great Cacapon, WV area were shocked to find out that we are targekd for high voltage power lines. Alleghany Power is trying to get a proposal passed before people have a chance to fight it. We had 2 days to prepare for the first community mmng on this subject. AEP and Allegheny Power are proposing a new 500 kv transmission power line through northem West Virginia. We are writing because we vehemently oppose these lines and, most especially, proposed PATH #72 through Cacapon Mountain. Rather than using existing right of way for construction ofa new major power line, the power compaoy plans to denude the mountain ridgeline by clear-g a new 200 foot wide swath through steep unstabilized forested mountain side parallel to the ridge of Capon Mountain, mngfor about 12 miles, some 1,OOO feet above the pristine valley ofthe Cacapon River in West Virginia. That 12 miles of 200 foot wide right of way, much dit along sheer slopes, on highly erodible soil, would become over 300 acres of barren mountainside, subject to continuing erosion and landslides, and it would deposit desstbusds ofcubic yards ofdirt and debris into the Cacapon, the Potonrac, and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. This power line would destroy the Etce of the tallest mOUntain in the eastem panhandle and it would ruin views for hundreds of square miles around. Tfie CaCapoD is one ufthe few valleys almost unaltered by modern civilization since its first survey by George Washington. This 200 foot path would run the length of Cacapon Mountain. The enormous towers wdl destroy this magnificent area in the Cacapon River watershed, whicb feeds into the Putomc River and the Chesapeake Bay. Aside 6om the physical damage to the area, we an greadymncerued about chemical defoliants and other run-offthat will enter ovcr 23 bluelinc rivers tbat originate on Cacapon Mountain and feed the Cacapoa hver. PATH #72 would destroy countless homes, natural forests, &tams, waterfslls, clear rivers, homes for animals, and fresh drinking water from the communities on the mountain aod in the vallcy bdow. The@wasdginauyp~fiJr~~h&bg~yp~it was relocated to our mountain. Appmntly the process skuted in 2005/2006, but the decisions on thc final path will be finalized in a hvmonths. Thc high voltage ltncs will cross through WV to cany paver into PA and NJ. No environmental studies have been done. The towem will devastatsa pristine area and destroy a beautiful ecosystem forever. It will also destroy many homes. Huadreds ofpcopl0 have takcn up residence in arcHmd the proposed mute and would bc greatlyandatherselyaffededbythisproposedpowerline... You can read moreabout this atwww.- on.com, click on maps, click on map 7. It is proposed path #72 near Berkeley SPM~S,WV Please oppose this perline location. We bought this land b pFegerve it for future generations. Please help keep West Virginia wild, wonderfhl and beautifil. Sincerely, K pL.&khbi& Mercedes & Paul Tibbits 4726 Rock Ford Rd. Great Cacapm, WV 25422 304-2584257

EVI8 USLY PR September 12,2008 Hon Shelley Moore Capito A~KNOWLED~E~ US House of Representatives Washington, DC 205 15 Dear Congresswoman Capito: We are asking elected officials of West Virginia to help us save our property in WV and the entire Cacapon MountaidValley by opposing the new power line location through the Cacapon Mountain Recreation Area, just West of Cacapon State Park National Geographic Magazine rates ths among Amenca's outstanding beauty spots. The owners in and around the Berkeley Springs/Grcat Cacapon, WV area were shocked to find out that we are targeted for high voltage power lines. Alleghany Power is trying to get a proposal passed before people have a chance to fight it. We had 2 days to prepare for the first community mmng on this subject. AEP and Allegheny Power are proposing a new 500 kv transmission power line through northern West Virginia. We are writing because we vehemently oppose these lines and, most especially, proposed PATH #72 through Cacapon Mountain. Rather than using existing right of way for consbudion ofa new major power line, the pow= company plans to denude the mountain ridgeline by clearatlinga new 200 foot wide swath through steep unstabilized forested mountain side patallel to the ridge of Cacapon Mauntain, rurmrng for about 12 miles, some I,OOO feet above the pristine valley of the Cacapaa River in West Virginia. That 12 miles of 200 foot wide right of way, much of it along sheer slopes, on highly erodible soil, would become over 300 acres of barren mountainside, subject to cuntinuiag erosion and landslides, and it would depositoountlessdrausands ofcubic yards ofdirt anddebris intothe Cacapan, the Patomac, and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. This power Ime would destroy the Edce of the tallest mountain in the eastern panhandle and it would ruin views for hundreds of square miles around. Tk Cacapoa is one ofthe few valleys almost unaltered by modem civilization since its first survey by George Washington. This 200 foot path would run the length of Camp Mountain. The enormous towers wll destroy this magnifiwnt area in the Cacapon River watershed, whicb feeds into the PoS0m;tc River and the Chesapeake Bay. Aside hmthe physical damage to the area, we are gnxdyconcerned about chemical defoliants and other run-&thSlt will enter ovcr 23 bluehc rivers that originate on Cacapon Mountain and feed the Cacapan Rwer. PATH #72 would destroy desshomes, natural forests, streams, waterf8lls, clear rivers, homes for animals, and fresh drinking water from the communities on the mountain and in the vallcy bclow. Thepathwas~~yproposedforanotherarea,twtafterbeing.~ypratested,it was relocated to our mountain. Apparently heprocess started in 2005/2006, but the decisions on thc final path will bc thalized in a hvmonths. The high voltage Irncs will cross through WV to cany power into PA and NJ. No envinmrnental studies have been done. The towers will devastate a pristine area and destroy a beautiful ecosystem fmer. It will also destroy many homes. Hundreds ofpcople have takcn up residcnce in around the proposed rot& and would be greatly and advdyaffected by this proposed power line... You can read mmabautthisatwww.~on.wm, click rn maps, click on map 7. It is prqmsed path #72 near Berkeley Spnngs, WV ri EJease oppose this power line location. We bought this land to pmerve it for future N geaerations. Please help keep West Virginia wild, wonderful and beautiful. ca ZZk Sincerely, K PUbhL& Mercedes & Paul "%bits 4726 Rock Ford Rd. Great Cacapon, WQ 25422 304-258-0257

N PaulA Tibbits . . 9909KentsdaleDt s Potornac,MD 20854 From: “Write your representative” Date: 8/26/2008 1:32:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: WriteRep Responses

DATE: August 26, 2008 1:14 PM NAME: Amelia West ADDRl: 1758 Kessel Road ADDR2 : ADDR3 : CITY: Great Cacapon STATE: West Virginia 0 ZIP: 25422 -m PHONE: 443-677-3474 < EMAIL: [email protected] m U msg : Mr. and Mrs. David West 394 Stablers Church Road Parkton, MD 21120

Dear Hon. Shelley Moore Capito,

As you probably know, AEP and Allegheny Power are proposing to construct a new 500 kV transmission power line through northern West Virginia. I am writing because I vehemently oppose these lines and, most especially, proposed PATH #72. We are property owners on Cacapon Mountain and owners of property along the Cacapon River. This area is watershed area, recreation area, and has great historical significance.

The proposed path #72 would run the entire length of the Cacapon Mountain, one of the most beautiful places in the Northeastern panhandle. PATH #72 would destroy countless homes, natural forests, streams, waterfalls, clear rivers, homes for animals, and fresh drinking water from the communities on the mountain and in the valley below. It would destroy a pristine ecosystem forever. Our new home on the mountain is near completion and this is where we plan to live. We are building a solar powered home because it was best for the environment. We did not want to needlessly cut a single tree.

The proposed power line PATH #72 would clear cut over 300 acres on our mountain. 22 acres of our property would be destroyed, including our new house. The land would be stripped of its trees and covered repeatedly with herbicides each year. The land now exposed to erosion would send dirt, debris and silt into the beautiful, clear Cacapon River where we swim, fish, and canoe. This silt and runoff would flow directly into the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay. Our beautiful mountain has over 23 blueline rivers that run into the Cacapon River 1,000 feet below and just a mile or two before it intersects the Potomac.

It is unconscionable to consider path #72 when a power line path already exists. The power lines should follow the existing route if they must go through wv.

George Washington surveyed this land and rode it often on horseback during his regular visits to the spa in Berkeley Springs, WV. He wrote in his memoirs about his rides to the rock on top of Cacapon Mountain and the views that he cherished so much. We want this land to be around for generations to come. We bought this land to preserve it for our children and grandchildren. If PATH #72 is allowed, this view would be replaced with towers 13 stories high and a swath cut across the mountain about 2 football fields wide. This is unthinkable and must be stopped.

PATH # 72 is the worst possible choice and has the most devastating environmental impact. Please help us eliminate PATH # 72.

Very sincerely,

David and Amelia West From: ”Write your representative1’ [email protected]> Date: 8/26/2008 1:32:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: WriteRep Responses 53 CI, “E=% rn 4Q DATE : August 26, 2008 1:14 PM pc3 NAME : Amelia West 4 ADDR1: 1758 Kessel Road r ADDRZ : cn ADDR3 : P CITY: Great Cacapon 3 STATE : West Virginia co ZIP : 25422 PHONE : 443-677-3474 EMAIL : [email protected] msg : Mr. and Mrs. David West 394 Stablers Church Road Parkton, MD 21120

Dear Hon. Shelley Moore Capito,

It is unconscionable to consider path #72 when a power line path already exists. The power lines should follow the existing route if they must go through W.

George Washington surveyed this land and rode it often on horseback during his regular visits to the spa in Berkeley Springs, W. He wrote in his memoirs about his rides to the rock on top of Cacapon Mountain and the views that he cherished so much. We want this land to-be around for generations to come. We bought this land to preserve it for our children and grandchildren. If PATH #72 is allowed, this view would be replaced with towers 13 stories high and a swath cut across the mountain about 2 football fields wide. This is unthinkable and must be stopped.

PATH # 72 is the worst possible choice and has the most devastating environmental impact. Please help us eliminate PATH # 72.

Very sincerely,

David and Amelia West