Dear Sir,

Concerned Culpeper Citizens, Inc. (CCC) is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to analysis and education for socially, economically, and environmentally responsible planning in Culpeper.  The Board of Directors has reviewed the many issues regarding subject potential amendment, and offers the following comments:

1.  We support the time extension amendment.  Our rationale is straightforward and tracks the logic of the Culpeper County request.

2.  With certain caveats, we agree with the planned land use for the area in question:  It is an efficient concentration of density, and has been in the County's Comprehensive Plan for many years.

3.  The planned land use, within the context of health, safety and public welfare, is of the type which is typically served by centralized municipal capacity.

4.  Cooperation with the Town of Culpeper is, at the very least, a very positive step toward managing the environmentally sensitive combined Town and County nutrient waste load discharge into the watershed; and could even reduce the load.

5. The County has pursued a good faith effort over the past few years to obtain Town cooperation.  Town/County consolidation is an exceedingly unusual political development, with far reaching consequences.  Only recently have we been able to see a strong possibility of cooperation by the end of 2009, but by which time it would be too late to begin construction. 

Therefore, an extension would serve multiple laudable purposes, with minimal risks that can be controlled with thorough review, and wise execution.

  As the executive agent in Culpeper for the Powerline Landowners Alliance, CCC is pleased to provide you its most recent news update.

________________________________________________

The PLA Line of Resistance
Official Publication of The Power-line Landowners Alliance
P.O. Box 422, Washington, VA 22747-0422
October 2007

Dear PLA Members and Friends - good news on several fronts!

SCC Extension. The Power-line Landowners Alliance and our allies have won an important procedural victory at the State Corporation Commission (SCC).  When the SCC originally set the schedule for the proceedings governing Dominion's application to build the new power line, it placed those interested in intervening as respondents on a short deadline, requiring the submission of our expert witness statements by October 9th.  Then, on September 19th, the SCC's Staff asked that the schedule be extended.  Over Dominion's objection, we received an extension to December 4th. This extra time was sorely needed and will be put to good use.

It is also clear from papers filed with the Hearing Examiner that the SCC Staff is well aware of the impact the new power line will have.  The staff stated, "the record ... establishes ... the proposed [line] would have tremendous physical impact ...."  Our witnesses are making very good progress in developing expert testimony to submit to the SCC before December 4th. The testimony will cover financial, historic, scenic, environmental impacts, including impacts on open space easements and agriculture and forestry districts.

Thanks, But Don't Let Up.  A great deal of the credit for the SCC Staff recognition of the "tremendous physical impact", we believe, belongs to you who testified so articulately against the line at the SCC Public Hearings last summer.  But, as we requested in our last PLA Line of Resistance, it is vital that you send written comments to the SCC, if you haven't already.  Do that by writing to: Clerk State Corporation Commission, Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, VA 23218-2118.  Your letter should reference Case #PUE-2007 -00031.  Alternatively, you may send electronic comments by going to the SCC website at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/caseinfo.htm.  Click on the "Public Comments/Notices" link and then the "Submit" command button for Case #PUE-2007 -00031.

Virginia DEQ Report.  Another piece of good news arrived September 20th, when the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued its report on the proposed new line. You can read the entire report on the SCC website listed above, but the bottom line is that DEQ found the environmental impact on the Proposed Route to be particularly damaging. That's important validation of the PLA argument.

DEQ's main recommendation states, "Several reviewers [other state agencies] have indicated that ... the Alternate  Route (I-66) is preferred from the environmental perspective for the Meadow Brook to Loudoun line."

"This Route [the Alternate I-66] is recommended by the DEQ's Office of Wetland and Water Protection, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF), and Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). In general, based on comments from reviewers, this alternative will result in less impact on wetlands, streams, natural heritage resources, wildlife, forests, and open land. DEQ, DGIF, DCR, and VMRC recommend that this alternative be selected instead of Applicants' proposed route.” (emphasis added)

This is an important statement for PLA landowners, most of whom will be impacted by the Proposed Route.  We must all recognize that a power line anywhere in Northern Virginia, including down I-66, is undesirable and will generate opposition and dismay.  A strong case is being developed by PEC that there are a number of non-transmission alternatives available to Dominion that would satisfy demand growth and alleviate transmission congestion.  Unfortunately, DEQ did not evaluate the comparative impact of those alternatives.  If they do so, we are confident that DEQ will find that the choices would be far less harmful than any transmission alternative.

New Board Member.  Susan Day, who along with her husband live on their farm near Jeffersonton in Culpeper County, has been elected to the PLA Board of Directors.  A few years ago, the Days were successful in their effort to have a smaller power line buried under their property rather than strung across it on poles.  The proposed line would also cross their property, which is in an Agricultural and Forestry District.  She is an ardent supporter of the PLA, and we look forward to working with her.

Power-Line Awareness Festival.  No matter where you live, plan to attend the Power-Line Awareness Festival, Saturday, October 20, at Jordan River Farm, near Flint Hill in Rappahannock County, from 2-7 p.m.  The festival features music, food, speakers, and a twilight walk with fluorescent light bulbs under the existing 500 kV line; the bulbs are lit by the power field emitted by the transmission line.  Admission is only $5; kids free.  All proceeds will go to the PLA.  Go to www. ThePLA.org, www.RLEP.org, or www.powerlineawareness.com for directions and more details, or call 540-636-4775 with questions or to volunteer your time.  BOYB: that's bring your own bulbs, and they should be the 3 or 4 foot variety!  Look for the PLA table there as well.

Basic directions: Take Route 522 to about 2 miles north of Flint Hill. Take Rt. 637 (Jericho Rd) east for 2 miles to Jordan River Farm on the right.

For more information, call or email any of the PLA Board members:
Gale Johnson, Chair, Rappahannock County, galejohnson@sagafarm.us, 540-635-4564
Stephanie Ridder, Vice Chair, Rappahannock County, sridder51@aol.com, 540-364-9536
Perry Cabot, Budget Officer, Culpeper County, ohpcj@juno.com, 540-937-6492
Rick Kohler, Secretary, Rappahannock County, rickkohler@comcast.net, 540-675-1373
James Moorman, Legal Counsel Liaison, Fauquier County, jmw@taf.orq, 202-257-1572
Les Armstrong, Fauquier County, lesarmstrong@charter.net, 205-515-6700
Paul Farmer, Rappahannock County, RLEP President, planetfirst@earthlink.net, 540-987-8759

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DOMINION VIRGINIA POWER

, Dominion Adds Another Route NEW ROUTE As you're probably aware, Dominion Virginia Power has proposed a new 500 kilovolt transmission line through the Virginia Piedmont. Last week, Dominion announced that their "preferred" route would mostly parallel an existing 500-kV line through Frederick, Warren, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Fauquier and Prince William. The new path would require taking an expanded 100-150 ft right-of-way for a second set of towers (4-6 stories taller than the current towers). Need more information? Go to www.whosedominion.com. Questions? See our FAQs below. Please see Calendar for date/time/place of public meetings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 500-kilovolt line and what does it look like?
A 500-kilovolt power line is a type of transmission line. A transmission line is a device designed to guide electrical energy from one point to another. Transmission line voltages vary; voltages “above 230-kV are considered extra high voltage and require different designs compared to equipment used at lower voltages.” Source: Wikipedia (7/06)
Better power?
This does not fix any current power problem.  It is advertised as a solution to power shortage after 2011.  However, the data which addresses that situation has not been made available to either public or politicians.
Part of REC?
No.  REC’s role is to distribute power from main lines to households.  Dominion operates power generation facilities such as Lake Anna, and also transmits that power on high-voltage trunk lines to distributors such as REC.
New utility Co?
Not exactly.  This would be a new line similar to those already existing.  But it also will connect to power generating factories far away in West Virginia.
REC not enough capacity?  Isn’t there already a 500kV line?
REC can buy power as it sees fit.  Most comes from Dominion which gets it from its own plants and from those of other firms far away.
Will our rates increase?
It depends on which region is allocated the extra power.  Dominion is authorized pass its capital investments on to consumers.
Can the lines be underground?
Yes.  That option is more expensive up front, but more economical in the long run.
Is this power connected to development at Clevengers Corner?
No.  This power will be distributed over large regions such as northern Virginia or Baltimore.
How can we complain if we need the power?
Nationally recognized consultants have discovered that it may not be us who needs the power, but rather regions to our north.  We may simply be a convenient conduit between cheap, western power and high-priced eastern markets.
Won’t the SCC reveal the scheme by demanding the data to support a legitimate need?
Yes.  But the data may be confusing enough to allow the benefit of the doubt, and also show a legitimate business opportunity.  The non-geographic alternatives such as demand management, efficiency, and conservation may be ignored.
Even if the power is not needed in 2011, won’t it be needed eventually?
Not necessarily.  Wise management and strong policy decisions by other states such as California, NH, and Texas have pushed the need far enough into the future to allow consideration of local power generation rather than long-distance transmission.  The Feds force California was forced to change its habits after the 2003 problem. [WP, c. 3/1/07]
If they already have a ROW, what’s wrong with adding more lines there?
The additional lines will require widening the ROW 100-200’; even the existing ROW will require deviations for this line.  Some ROW’s already have three sets of lines, creating the precedent for unending additions.
Is EMF a health hazard?
The EMF field is principally a function of voltage, distance, humidity, and air temperature.  It is measured in milligauss units.  Private sector research in EMF stagnated in the 1990’s without reaching a definitive conclusion.  The most responsible experts and reports indicate the maximum safe level for extended exposure is 2 milligauss which can be easily measured.
Can they use same towers?
No.  For the same reason that the current 95’ towers carry three lines widely separated from one another, new lines would also have to separated.  They can’t go lower or they would have done so with the current lines; and the current towers are not designed to carry the extra weight on top.
Can they take property?
Yes, although it is a long, difficult process.  In this case it would be done under the 2005 Energy Act which authorizes National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors.  Dominion has not made this claim, but its partner, Allegheny Power, has. 
What is PJM?
PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. is the regional transmission organization (RTO) responsible for coordinating the movement of electricity in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Regional transmission organizations were established by FERC Order 2000 and are federally regulated entities with operational authority for all transmission facilities under their functional control. Within its territory, PJM controls the high-voltage transmission grid, tells power producers how much energy to generate, and adjusts import and export transactions.

On March 6, 2006, PJM filed a request to the Department of Energy asking them to designate a path into the DC-Baltimore Metropolitan Region as a “National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor.” Pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the designation of a ‘National Interest Corridor’ would grant PJM a right-of-way that could potentially override county or state level opposition.
On June 23, 2006, PJM announced $1.3 billion in transmission upgrades, “including a 240-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line from southwestern Pennsylvania to Virginia to be constructed by Allegheny Power and Dominion.”

On August 8, 2006 the Department of Energy released the 2006 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study.
On October 10, 2006, in response to a comment period on the aforementioned Congestion Study, PJM submitted their revised National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor requests. PJM is now requesting designation of three National Interest Corridors - the Allegheny Mountain Corridor, the Delaware River Corridor and the Mid-Atlantic Corridor. The Allegheny Mountain Corridor is their stated priority, and also the one tailored to the Meadowbrook-Loudoun Transmission Line.

What is a NIETC?
A ‘National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor’, as assigned by the Secretary of Energy, is ‘‘any geographic area experiencing electric energy transmission capacity constraints or congestion that adversely affects consumers.”
The Secretary of Energy can designate an NIETC after considering:
“(A) the economic vitality and development of the corridor, or the end markets served by the corridor, may be constrained by lack of adequate or reasonably priced electricity;
(B)(i) The economic growth in the corridor, or the end markets served by the corridor, may be jeopardized by reliance on limited sources of energy; and (ii) A diversification of supply is warranted;
(C) The energy independence of the United States would be served by the designation;
(D) The designation would be in the interest of national energy policy; and
(E) The designation would enhance national defense and homeland security”

Definition: page 5661 of the February 2, 2006 Federal Register

The 500 kilovolt transmission line in Southern Fauquier County.

What is a 500-kilovolt line and what does it look like?
A 500-kilovolt power line is a type of transmission line. A transmission line is a device designed to guide electrical energy from one point to another. Transmission line voltages vary; voltages “above 230-kV are considered extra high voltage and require different designs compared to equipment used at lower voltages.” Source: Wikipedia (7/06)

500-kilovolt power lines stand 70 to 175 feet tall with a right-of-way width of 100 to 200 feet.
  • See Typical 500-kilovolt Transmission Tower Designs and Heights
  • See Transmission Towers of Varying Voltages
  • See Transmission Tower Size Relative to the Size of Local Power Poles

How can I save electricty?
Demand on the electric grid is increasing. In the face of population growth and sprawling development, it seems hard for an individual to make a difference, but it is actually quite easy.
By changing a few things - your light bulbs, the time you wash your dishes, the location of your air conditioner – you can decrease your energy grid dependence and dramatically lower the cost of your monthly electricity bill. To learn how to use energy in your home more efficiently and save money, see:
A Consumer’s Guide to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Energy and Money Saving Tips for Consumers in VA
Energy Star, Home Improvement Solutions
Energy Saving Tips from Consumer Reports
EnlightenUSA


What is the Enlighten campaign ?
PEC has launched a new campaign, EnlightenUSA, to increase energy efficiency, starting with light bulbs.  We are encouraging people to upgrade tens of thousands of bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFLs) which use 75% less energy. 
Dominion Power claims that we need a giant new power line to meet rising demand for electricity.  We have a better idea.  Rather than sacrifice our land in order to connect Northeastern cities with some of the nation’s dirtiest coal-burning power plants, it’s time to use smart, efficient technology so we don’t need so much electricity.  And light bulbs are a great place to start.  A compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) uses 75% less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb, lasts 10 times longer, and saves as much as $60 over the life of the bulb. 

Dominion says that consumers won't use energy more efficiently—and so we need a power line.  Prove them wrong.  To show that we are serious, we need to keep record of how many light bulbs we’ve changed. Upgrading your bulbs will save the energy but only counting them will make a statement!  Take action by visiting www.EnlightenUSA.org and telling us how many bulbs you have changed.  

How do I stay informed?
PEC will provide up-to-date information on the Power Line; updating our website as new information comes in. Even if you already receive PEC alerts and News, please sign up to receive power line specific emails. Email provides a cost-effective, efficient way for us to keep you informed as new information becomes available.

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Ten Serious Problems with Dominion and Allegheny's Proposal

1) This new power line may not be needed
2) Piecemeal approval of power lines sets bad energy policy
3) It short circuits important federal laws and policies
4) It short circuits important state laws and policies
5) It is at war with local planning and decision making
6) It would deface one of the most protected landscapes in America
7) Virginia's interests have not been properly taken into account
8) Designating a federal corridor in Virginia could derail state energy policy
9) National Environmental Policy Act review has thus far been evaded
10) Undoing open-space and conservation easements would undermine tax policy

1) This new power line may not be needed – there are better ways to meet electricity demand:
• A combination of upgrading existing lines, more demand side management, a few small, low polluting plants near areas of high need is likely to provide a more robust, more secure and more reliable solution to whatever congestion exists than a new transmission corridor through Virginia.
• These alternatives are not receiving adequate consideration under the "National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor" designation process.

2) Piecemeal approval of power lines sets bad energy policy:
• Sensible national energy policy must foster an optimal mix of deliverable power from diverse sources. By focusing on individual geographic corridors and power lines to the exclusion of other important considerations -- such as innovative transmission and generating technologies, distributed generator closer to consumer demand, demand response with real-time pricing, and conservation -- the DOE designation process risks myopia and will not produce optimal energy policy solutions.
• Nor does the process appear to accommodate sufficient public participation, especially from impacted communities.

3) The proposal short circuits federal protections for public resources and values:
• Some utilities and their regional organization, PJM, are attempting to rush the location of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors that can be used to condemn land for the power line.
• If successful, federal governmental and historic protections would be bypassed and undermined, including the: National Environmental Policy Act, American Farm and Ranch Protection Act, United States National Trails System Act of 1968, The National Park System, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

4) The proposal short circuits state protections for public resources and values:
• State natural and historic protections could be bypassed and undermined by this process, including the: Open Space Land Act, Conservation Easement Act, the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, Virginia State Park System (Sky Meadows State Park), Virginia Agricultural and Forestal Districts, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Model Purchase of Development Rights Program for Virginia, State Scenic Byways Program, State Scenic Rivers Act and Virginia Land Conservation Incentives Act of 1999.

5) The proposal is at war with local planning and decision making:
• The proposal would do violence to Comprehensive Plans that place a high value on agriculture, rural character, scenic viewsheds, tourism, and environmental, historic and cultural resources.

6) The proposal would deface one of the most historic and protected landscapes in America:
• The DOE corridor designation process does not appear to value protection of the environment or historic sites.
• Within Dominion’s study area for this line there are: over 48,000 acres under easement, 6 existing historic districts, 11 potential/proposed historic districts, 1 National Historic Landmarks, 17 State and National Historic Sites and 7 Civil War Battlefields.

7) Virginia's interests have not been properly taken into account:
• In the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Congress directed the Secretary of Energy "in consultation with affected States," to conduct a study of electric transmission congestion. On August 8 the Secretary issued this study, identifying congestion in areas primarily to the east and north of Virginia, without consulting Virginia, even though a line through Virginia is proposed as the solution to that congestion.

8) Virginia is crafting its own energy policy to be released July 2007:
• The federal corridor process should be, but has not been, coordinated with Virginia's ongoing development of state energy policy.
• Designation of a federal corridor inevitably will drive where and what power generation is developed, but consideration has yet to be accorded the goal of the Commonwealth to promote technologies that do not contribute to greenhouse gases and global warming and facility sitings that minimize impacts to pristine natural areas and other significant onshore natural resources.

9) National Environmental Policy Act review has thus far been evaded:
• The National Environmental Policy Act mandates that an environmental impact statement (EIS) be prepared in advance of undertaking a ‘major federal action significantly affecting the human environment’ so that alternatives to the action can be understood and evaluated.
• A programmatic EIS is being conducted for a transmission corridor proposed for the western United States, but no such study has been undertaken or is scheduled for the transmission corridor proposed through Virginia.

10) Undoing open-space and conservation easements would undermine tax policy:
• The federal corridor proposed for Virginia is home to a great number of conservation and open-space easements that Commonwealth landowners entrusted to Virginia in exchange for federal and state benefits.
• These federal and state tax policies will be nullified if these conservation and open-space easements are converted into a corridor for high-voltage transmission lines and towers.

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COUNTY MEALS TAX

Citizens will have read that 53.33% voted against the Meal Tax in November. We repeat here that is unfortunate. Not because we like taxes, but because tourists and non-residents pay more of such taxes than do we who live in Culpeper. And once deposited to the County’s budget, our property taxes are then reduced by the same amount. That is not just theory – that is the way it actually works wherever it is used. In each election more voters realize this, so we’ll get there eventually

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Transportation - An Analysis (February 1, 2006)( to be up dated)

Introduction

With a Virginia Governor committing to transportation and growth management solutions for the first time in memory; and a surprising recent win by similar-minded Loudoun attorney Herrick for the open State Senate seat there, Richmond politicians are now scrambling to avoid a snow-balling voter backlash. CCC offers the following review and analysis.

Situation 1. The public finally understands: They have been pawns and losers in the search for the ‘American Dream’. The quotes below are from last week’s Washington Post (WP), 1/28/06, p. B1. [Note: CCC does not endorse political parties; fortunately, the quotes come from both sides.]

"There has always been a lot of resistance in giving local governments the authority, but in walking door-to-door, I got a lot of feedback from constituents who got it [State bottleneck]." (Del. Bulova, D-Ffx)
"Republican leaders in Virginia’s House of Delegates have joined in proposing giving local governments more flexibility in controlling development" (WP)
"Support for expansion of local powers in now widespread in state government." (WP)
"Republican bills would allow local governments to receive payments to ease the impacts. Localities would be required to review the potential cost of new roads in the long-range planning." (WP)
"GOP leaders echoed arguments on the need for better planning." (WP)
"Too many people have assumed that the only answer to crowded highways... is the construction of new roads with no real way to include local governments in the decisions." (House Speaker W. Howell R-Stafford)
"There has been some past support, but we heard from voters last year that the issue is now critical." (unnamed Delegates)
"When I first ran in 2003, it was an issue. It is now the issue. The things I and other members saw in last year’s elections have crystallized" (Del. Frederick, R- PrWm)
"There is very high expectation from citizens that we would do something this year." (Del. Bulova, D-Ffx)
"Controlling growth is now imbedded in state politics. Anybody who’s interested in staying in political office has to be onboard on this issue... or at least be on record as being onboard." (Professor Rozell, GMU)

Analysis. Under new pressure, Richmond will attempt to placate the public. Seven bills were introduced in the General Assembly, Friday, 1/28/06.

Conclusion. Local governments should demand truly effective authority from Richmond; and voters should demand diligent execution from their local government.

Situation 2. The cause of development problems has been traced to an alliance between the development industry and the General Assembly: the former receiving excessively loose regulation; the latter receiving support to stay in office.

Analysis. When every municipality which attempts growth management either faces lawsuits or declines to contest aggressive applicants, it is categorically obvious that the system is broken. Legislators will now face industry offers of half-way measures. The development industry’s accusation that the municipalities neglect existing powers is disingenuous in the extreme— there are no effective existing powers. The entire process has made a mockery of municipal management.

Conclusion. Local governments should routinely submit all requests to all available legal scrutiny; use 100% of the time allowed by statute for evaluation; and routinely offer no concessions whatsoever. Until the municipality exercises all its powers, it can never adequately serve the general public.

Situation 3. All development proposals are initially deficient. Most are forced to change, although changes are rarely enough. Many proposals slip through not only with most deficiencies remaining, but with compliments by the approving authority. The applicant is emboldened to pursue even further abuse of due process; and the public loses, usually in the form of unnecessary high taxes to pay for the consequences.

Analysis. This situation persists because there is a zero penalty for offering less; there are huge profit premiums when deficiencies are not exposed and the probability of exposure is low.

Conclusion. Local governments should never accept proposals at face value. An effective negotiator never begins with the highest bid. Furthermore, personal endorsements by the judging body in the course of deliberations are unprofessional; and contrary, destructive, and prejudicial to the statutory process and the public’s general welfare.

General Conclusion. If the true costs were known, the public would not pursue the ‘American Dream’ of home ownership to the point of a nightmare in unseen consequences. They would pay a higher price to live where infrastructure was reasonably available. The public has been the pawn.

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INLET

The proposal for Inlet was withdrawn by the applicant primarily because the County insisted on control over water and wastewater treatment. However, the general concept of additional commercial at that location, on a smaller scale, is still valid as part of the County’s Comprehensive Plan.

NEW HIGH SCHOOL

This is now to be called Eastern View High School. Work remains on schedule for a Fall 2008 opening.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

The Culpeper Citizen, The Free-Lance Star and Media General had brought suit against the Culpeper Board of Supervisors two years ago for holding a closed meeting to discuss high school construction costs. Although the papers initially lost in District Court, the appeal was heard last year by the Virginia Supreme Court which ruled in their favor. This extremely rare ruling sets an important precedent for open government; and is welcome support for CCC’s mission of furthering public knowledge on government action.

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THE TOWN OF CULPEPER

Please see the Town Section in the Current Projects section, including our verbal statement concerning Copper Ridge at the August Planning Meeting.

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PIEDMONT
The Dominion and Allegheny Power Companies are attempting to bring cheap coal-sourced Pennsylvania electricity to either Northern Virginia or New Jersey (depending on analysis of data which is in very short supply). Unfortunately, this would mean constructing dozens of very large towers completely across the “Hallowed Ground Resource Area” and many properties in Conservation Easement which preserves their nature for posterity, and from over-development. Passions at both the State and Federal level (the Department of Energy has authority to ‘condemn’ property for vital electric corridors) are making this a surrogate debate for the larger issue of energy conservation and alternative sources.

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RICHMOND
Transportation is again this year at stage front. Articulating this problem is almost as difficult as solving it. One summary breaks it into five issues:

1. Reliability. A dedicated funding stream is generally necessary to execute large, multi-year projects such as now needed in Northern VA and the Hampton Roads area. The lack of bi-partisan commitment has prompted discussion of a risky Constitutional amendment to dedicate funds.

2. Magnitude. The agreed size of the need, a billion a year (4% of the entire State budget) for the next twenty years, overwhelms any single source, dedicated or not.

3. Political philosophy. Typically tax-averse Republicans wish to shift funds from other programs or to borrow. Democrats say both those choices rob from Peter to pay Paul, either directly or through huge interest payments.

4. Regional. NoVA initially begged to be able to tax itself, although this year some counties are changing their tune. RoVA (the Rest of Virginia) says they don’t want to be taxed to pay for NoVA roads. NoVA responds, “Who do you think is paying for your schools?” (Note: Through what is known as the composite index, wealthy NoVA pays about 70% of its school budget: Less affluent Southside and Southwest Virginia counties pay only about 30%.).

5. Accountability. Smart growth concepts indicate that money solves only a small part of the problem. Genuine solutions derive from maximizing mass-transit near high residential density, and vice-versa. These are land-use decisions at the County level, but for which they have had very little authority to execute properly. (Note: Last year for the first time, and again this year, resolutions have been proposed to increase that authority.)

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CCC comment on the Clevenger's Village decision is contained in the News Archive.

 

Watch this Space for Upcoming CCC News!

-- News Archive --