Activity some have claimed is unauthorized clearing for the 500-kilovolt Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line across northern West Virginia actually is being conducted by others, according to Allegheny Energy subsidiary TrAILCo.

“Most of the activities complained of are those of private owners for which TrAILCo has no responsibility,” reads the Oct. 28 response to a complaint filed Oct. 19 with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.

Residents along the line’s right-of-way claimed in their complaint to have photographic evidence that contractor Kenny Construction Co. of Northbrook, Ill. has driven heavy equipment through the North Branch of the Potomac River, has stripped the right-of-way to bare earth and has ignored PSC orders to leave trees in valley bottoms.

The landowners further claimed that land is being cleared to twice the width of the approved 200-foot right-of-way to accommodate future construction of the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline. That line is planned by Allegheny Energy and American Electric Power and is under consideration by the PSC but not yet approved.

TrAILCo’s response addresses eight photographs submitted as evidence by the complainants at what appear to be four sites in Tucker and Hardy counties.

With regard to six of the photographs, local landowners are conducting the clearing, according to the response.

“In some instances, in areas where the line will be constructed, landowners have elected to go ahead and timber the affected areas ahead of the construction,” said Allegheny Energy spokesman Allen Staggers. “So while it may look a lot like right-of-way clearing work, it’s actually timbering operations not done by us.”

Although right-of-way agreements leave timber cut by Kenny Construction to landowners, Staggers said some landowners may prefer their own logging methods.

The remaining two photographs have to do with deep valleys.

The PSC order required TrAILCo not to clear places where the line will be more than 100 feet above the ground; however, Staggers said, the order made allowances for selective clearing as necessary for surveying.

“There has to be a clear line of sight,” Staggers said.

Complainant Donna Printz said that she and her co-complainants are aware that some of the clearing was being conducted by landowner Western Pocahontas Properties.

But, Printz said, “I don’t think that Western Pocahontas would go out there on their own and clear a 400-foot right-of-way. Someone had to give them some idea of what the clearing should have been.”

While she conceded that the landholding company has the right to clear its property as it wishes, “I think it’s pretty naïve of us if we think TrAILCo isn’t directing some of that,” she said.

The parties expect the PSC to dismiss the case or schedule a hearing soon.