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PATH Announces New Developments Regarding Transmission Line Application in Virginia

^{Published on 2009-12-29 15:30:15 - Market Wire}
 

GREENSBURG, Pa. & COLUMBUS, Ohio--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Allegheny Energy, Inc. (NYSE: AYE) and American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) today reiterated a request to regulators in Virginia for permission to withdraw the previously submitted application to build the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) project in the state. Today's request considers new information recently provided by regional grid operator PJM Interconnection (PJM), suggesting the project appears not to be needed in 2014 to resolve reliability problems on the electric grid.

However, the data recently received from PJM is preliminary and not sufficient to identify a specific in-service date for the project. PJM is in the process of preparing its more comprehensive 2010 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP), which will identify an in-service date.

Based on the delivery of the 2010 RTEP later next year, a new application in Virginia is not expected before the third quarter of 2010.

PJM supports PATH-VA's motion to withdraw, which will allow time for PJM to perform a comprehensive review of system needs as part of its RTEP process. AEP and Allegheny remain responsive to PJM and are committed to having the line in place as directed by the grid operator. The companies also support their affiliates' existing applications seeking approval for the PATH project in West Virginia and Maryland, which will consider the 2010 RTEP information.

For more information on the project, including maps and full state applications, please visit the project Web site at [ www.pathtransmission.com ].

Allegheny Energy
Headquartered in Greensburg, Pa., Allegheny Energy is an investor-owned electric utility with total annual revenues of over $3 billion and more than 4,000 employees. The company owns and operates generating facilities and delivers low-cost, reliable electric service to 1.6 million customers in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, visit our Web site at [ www.alleghenyenergy.com ].

American Electric Power
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation's largest generators of electricity, owning more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation's largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.

AEP's transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP's utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP's headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio. More information is available at [ www.aep.com ].