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The future of a regional power upgrade continues to grow more uncertain, as another state through which a 275-mile power line would pass considers denying the project.

Staff for the Virginia State Corporation Commission is recommending that the commission deny an application to build a section of the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) in the state.

PATH is a joint venture of Allegheny Energy and American Electric Power, and both companies maintain that the multi-state power line is necessary to maintain reliable electric service to the region.

Todd Meyers, a spokesman for Allegheny Energy, wrote in an e-mail to The Gazette that Allegheny and American Electric Power were still reviewing the staff motion for denial as of Tuesday.

The motion, which was filed Oct. 19, states that because of the Maryland Public Service Commission's rejection of PATH's application in September, " there now exists such a level of uncertainty as to the termination point of PATH that the staff cannot discharge its duty to analyze the application and to advise the commission on whether the project should be approved, and if approved, where it should be routed."

On Sept. 9 the Maryland Public Service Commission rejected Potomac Edison's application for PATH because it would not be built by an electric company operating within Maryland, as state law requires.

PATH-Allegheny, the legal entity that would construct the line, is a joint venture Allegheny and American Electric Power, based in Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively.