The energy provider is just beginning the design process for thefacility, which a spokesman estimates will be developed for roughly$50 million. Other details, such as the approximate square footageof the building, have not yet been finalized, he tellsGlobeSt.com.

Allegheny will break ground on the facility sometime in 2009,with delivery expected in mid-2011. Approximately 150 managerial,professional, technical, and administrative positions will belocated in the new building. Many of these people are currentlybased in Pennsylvania, the spokesman says. "But we have known forsome time that with changes in technology and the new standards fortransmission reliability and transmission security, we were goingto need a new transmission center, so we decided to consolidateoperations in Fairmont."

The energy provider also needed a new center to support thecomplex requirements of its two major expansion projects currentlyunderway, says Paul Evanson, chairman and CEO, in a preparedstatement. These are the Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line, new500-kV line extending from Southwestern Pennsylvania to WestVirginia to Northern Virginia and the Potomac-AppalachianTransmission Highline, a 290-mile, extra-high voltage transmissionline from West Virginia into Maryland. West Virginia Public ServiceCommission extracted a pledge from Allegheny to build the center inthe state, the spokesperson said.