Dominion foes need a united voice

In his Monday letter titled, "Is PEC our true ally in Culpeper's fight against Dominion-" regarding the Dominion power line debate,  Michael Buser claims that the Piedmont Environmental Council's overriding concern is the protection of northern Fauquier.

He says that is why the PEC has chosen to challenge only the need for the line, rather than the route of the line through Culpeper.

Additionally, he criticizes "the citizens group in Culpeper" for allying ourselves with PEC's position.

This letter states why this strategy has been chosen.
The PEC and we are focusing on need for three reasons:  

-Objections to location are inherent in all objections to the line. If the need is proven, it has to go somewhere, and nobody wants it in his or her back yard or view line. The State Corporation Commission and Dominion know this full well.

-If communities speak only of location, they are essentially fighting against one another.

Divide and conquer unfortunately works very well and may be an intentional Dominion tactic. We do not want to step into that trap.  

-A serious and objective discussion of need advances the debate to these fundamental questions:

What price (dollars and quality of life) are we willing to pay for our thirst for electricity- At what point are efficiency, conservation, and clean alternatives relevant to us all- The sooner we settle these questions, the sooner we will all breath easier - literally!

Faced with the possibility of being defeated in detail by Dominion Power, PEC, Concerned Culpeper Citizens and a host of other organizations, counties, and elected officials, are strongly suggesting, with one unified voice, that the SCC should ultimately address the full nature of the need, and mitigate any remaining temporary necessity through modifications in design and location.