The state Public Service Commission wants to delay its decision on a $1.3 billion power line across northern West Virginia until early August.

Commissioners want more time to review a settlement that resolved opposition from the PSC's staff and consumer advocate division.

The PSC wants to allow other parties to comment on the deal, and time to hold a hearing for testimony and arguments over the settlement's impact on the case.

Originally, the PSC was required by state law to give Allegheny a decision by May 2.

Last week, Allegheny lawyers said that the power company would voluntarily give up the right to a decision by then. Company lawyers proposed that the PSC study the settlement for 30 days, and issue a ruling by June 2.

The PSC responded that "it is apparent" that the 30 days would not be enough time for other parties to comment on the deal or for the commission to consider it.

Allegheny is seeking PSC approval to build its proposed Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line, or TrAIL. The 500-kilovolt line would carry electricity from southwestern Pennsylvania through West Virginia and into northern Virginia.

Power company officials say that the line is needed to provide cheap and reliable power to big Eastern cities and their growing suburbs. But the project has drawn intense opposition from hundreds of West Virginians, who fear it will mar scenic views, lower their properly values and continue what they say is an environmentally damaging reliance on coal-fired power.

The state Public Service Commission wants to delay its decision on a $1.3 billion power line across northern West Virginia until early August.

Commissioners want more time to review a settlement that resolved opposition from the PSC's staff and consumer advocate division.

The PSC wants to allow other parties to comment on the deal, and time to hold a hearing for testimony and arguments over the settlement's impact on the case.

Originally, the PSC was required by state law to give Allegheny a decision by May 2.

Last week, Allegheny lawyers said that the power company would voluntarily give up the right to a decision by then. Company lawyers proposed that the PSC study the settlement for 30 days, and issue a ruling by June 2.

The PSC responded that "it is apparent" that the 30 days would not be enough time for other parties to comment on the deal or for the commission to consider it.

Allegheny is seeking PSC approval to build its proposed Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line, or TrAIL. The 500-kilovolt line would carry electricity from southwestern Pennsylvania through West Virginia and into northern Virginia.

Power company officials say that the line is needed to provide cheap and reliable power to big Eastern cities and their growing suburbs. But the project has drawn intense opposition from hundreds of West Virginians, who fear it will mar scenic views, lower their properly values and continue what they say is an environmentally damaging reliance on coal-fired power.

As originally proposed, the West Virginia portion of the transmission line would run about 114 miles through six counties. It would enter the state north of Morgantown, and run south and east through Monongalia, Preston and Tucker counties to a substation near Mount Storm in Grant County. Then, it would extend for 47 miles through Grant and Hardy counties and into Hampshire County, before entering Virginia near Capon Springs.

Under last week's deal, Allegheny agreed to use an alternate route proposed by the consumer advocate. Instead of cutting across southern Monongalia and Preston counties - where opposition has been the most organized - the line would go more directly south, before cutting east and following existing transmission lines from Pruntytown to Mount Storm.

Allegheny also promised to move a transmission operations center to West Virginia and save state customers more than $40 million in industry rate reductions, low-income assistance and conservation plans, and deferments of rate hikes to fund transmission line construction.

The announced settlement prompted a letter to the PSC renewing the West Virginia Coal Association's support for the power line.

"Additional transmission lines will add hundreds of construction jobs, hundreds of permanent jobs, preserve the long-term viability of WV coal-fired power plants and add the transmission capacity needed to potentially construct new coal plants right here in West Virginia," wrote association President Bill Raney.

"Projects such as TrAIL are important to the future of West Virginia coal and to our state as we secure a place for coal-fired electric generation in the national energy market."

To contact staff writer Ken Ward Jr., use e-mail or call 348-1702.