The West Virginia Public Service Commission announced that Shepherd University will host three comment hearings on on the controversial Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, or PATH, a proposed 224 mile-long, 756-kilovolt electric transmission line. Should the PSC approve PATH in its current proposed form, a portion of the transmission line would run through southern Jefferson County.

The three hearings will be held at the Frank Arts Center Auditorium on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. In all, the PSC has scheduled 11 public comment hearings on PATH throughout West Virginia.

The proposed transmission line has generated a groundswell of opposition state-wide. Over 250 West Virginian residents and organizations have been granted official “intervenor” status by the PSC, with the vast majority of intervenors opposed to the project. Sarah Robertson, spokesperson for the PSC said the amount of interest in the PATH case is “quite unusual, it might even be unprecedented.”

The proposed portions of PATH in West Virginia consist of approximately of 224 miles of high voltage transmission line in Putnam, Kanawha, Roane, Calhoune, Braxton, Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, Tucker, Preston, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire and Jefferson Counties.

The PSC regulates utility service in the state of West Virginia, and their approval is needed for the project to move forward. The PSC is required to render a decision on the PATH case by June 21, 2010.