Bob Lazaro has spent the last two years at the Piedmont Environmental Council, researching the effects of a proposed power line- and building a case against it.

"We've made an investment, over $3 million in experts, time, effort and staff," said Lazaro. "At the end of the day, we think we'll win."

Lazaro's bold prediction comes as the evidentiary hearings get underway in Richmond.
Parties will bring in experts and evidence to analyze all the latest figures and projections.

The P.E.C. representative thinks that will only work in the group's favor.

"If you look at the current data, this line is not needed," explained Lazaro. "It wasn't needed with the old data, but certainly not [according to] the new data."

Allegheny and Dominion Power have adamantly stated the line needs to go up to keep electricity flowing in the region. The companies deny allegations that the power will be used to post higher profits in
the Northeast.

"The line that we have proposed definitely has benefits for the residents of Virginia," declared Allegheny Communications Manager Allen Staggers at a public hearing last summer, "both here in the Winchester area, further east into Loudoun County, and residents all across the Mid-Atlantic region."

Lazaro and the P.E.C. join other citizen groups, and a slew of Virginia local governments, as formal parties opposing the line.

The evidentiary hearings will last between 3 and 4 weeks.

The S.C.C. is expected to render a decision in the late spring or early summer. The process could be extended, however, if any party appeals the decision to the Virginia Supreme Court.

Dominion Power has never lost an S.C.C. case.