WV Labor, Business Organizations Announce Support for Transmission Infrastructure Development

Charleston, W.Va. (February 16, 2010) – Representatives from the WV AFL-CIO and the WV Business & Industry Council, among other business and labor organizations, announced their support for upgrading the region’s electric transmission infrastructure to maintain reliability and to enhance West Virginia’s economy at a news conference in Charleston today.

Kenny Perdue, president of the WV AFL-CIO, said, "Like roads, sewers, gas and water pipelines, our region’s electric infrastructure is aging, and according to electric industry experts, not able to meet future demand. We want our policy leaders and citizens to know that as a state, we need to approach this as an opportunity to build for our energy and economic future."

Jan Vineyard, president of the WV Business & Industry Council, said, "It’s not often enough that the labor and business communities join together to support a cause. Even with the down economy we know electricity demand will continue to increase. With West Virginia’s plethora of fossil and renewable resources, we need to develop our system of transmission lines to responsibly take advantage of what we do well in West Virginia – produce energy for the nation."

Dave Efaw, secretary/treasurer of the WV State Building Trades Council, said, "These types of projects will help create thousands of construction jobs for West Virginia workers, while at the same time create the necessary infrastructure our region needs."

Bill Raney, president of the WV Coal Association, said, "Enhancing our transmission system will maintain existing markets and spur new markets for our state’s coal, gas and renewable resources. This creates jobs across our economy."

Regional and national experts, such as PJM Interconnection and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, have called for new transmission infrastructure to be built in our region in the next several years to meet demand and avoid potential power outages and blackouts.

Participants in the news conference are members of West Virginians for Reliable Energy, a statewide coalition comprised of more than 90 businesses, labor organizations and trade associations committed to educating West Virginia citizens and policy leaders on the need for an improved electric transmission infrastructure in our region.