The SGA Resolution

WHEREAS

American Electric Power company has proposed constructing a 765kV transmission line whose preferred route would pass through parts of Giles, Montgomery, Craig, and Roanoke counties, and

WHEREAS

This line would consist of towers the size of 13 to 22 story buildings and a 200 foot cleared right-of-way which would adversely impact private and public (National Forest Service) lands throughout the New River Valley economically, aesthetically and environmentally, and

WHEREAS

In it's application for approval of the line, AEP completely overlooks the existence of many homes, and they neither mention nor identify a number of endangered species habitats and popular recreation areas, and

WHEREAS

This line would irreparably diminish such spectacular recreational areas such as the McCoy Falls section of the New River, the Pandapas Pond recreational areas, Poverty Creek, Craig Creek, Boley Fields, Caldwell Fields, and views from the Appalachian Trail including Dragon's Tooth and Tinker Mountain. These areas are heavily used by Virginia Tech students, families, school groups, and other valuable outdoor enthusiasts. In addition, Caldwell Fields is the area through which William Caldwell hiked to reach the newly opened Virginia Land-Grant University in Blacksburg, and

WHEREAS

After an exhaustive, detailed study, the Jefferson National Forest recommended not to construct this transmission line on private or National Forest lands due to the significant and long-term environmental impacts, instead indicating "the right and reasonable thing to do is to find some other way to meet whatever need we, as a society, may have for reliable sources of power," and

WHEREAS

There are many alternatives to this line should the need for more power develop, including energy conservation programs, buying power from other companies, upgrading lower voltage lines, and shorter, less impactful routes, and

WHEREAS

The Student Government Association is the representative body for all undergraduate students, therefore let it be

RESOLVED

That the Student Government Association opposes the construction of AEP's 765kV power line along the preferred route, and let it be further

RESOLVED

That this line would severely hurt the students of Virginia Tech as well as the surrounding community through lost recreational opportunities, cultural attachments, and historical connections.