Va. Supreme Court considers power line challenge

Opponents of a multistate power line that would run through northern Virginia are asking the Virginia Supreme Court to send the project back to state regulators for further deliberations.

The court heard oral arguments in the case Tuesday.

The Piedmont Environmental Council, the counties of Fauquier, Prince William and Culpeper, and a citizens group called Power-Line Landowners Alliance are challenging the State Corporation Commission’s approval of the project. They claim the commission erroneously felt constrained by federal law and did not act in the best interests of Virginians.

Dominion Virginia Power and Pennsylvania-based Allegheny Energy want to build the 500-kilovolt transmission line from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Loudoun County, Virginia. The line would cross northern West Virginia.