By STEVEN T. DENNIS
Staff Writer
AES representatives told Washington County Commissioners that the benefits of the Warrior Run project under construction near Cumberland, Md., far outweigh the costs Allegheny Power customers will pay in higher electric rates.
Allegheny Power officials had waged a campaign to buy out the 30-year contract with the plant. They said customers would face a 13 percent rate hike in the year 2000 after the new plant comes on line. Officials of the utility also estimated the plant would cost $1.7 billion more than alternative power sources over the 30-year life of the contract.
Steve Hase, development manager of AES Warrior Run, continued to dispute the figures, and said AES has entered into more than $200 million in contracts and obligations to build the plant.