If you read the whole article, note Dick Cheney's attitude toward West Virginians. Using the power of the federal government to force new transmission lines down the throats of states was Cheney's bright idea, which was enshrined in the 2005 National Power Act.

One historical note to add to the article -- When western delegates to the VA secession convention forced a compromise that required a statewide referendum, the eastern government didn't even bother to count the votes from west of the mountains, which largely opposed secession. It was this final anti-democratic insult which prompted West Virginians to revolt against the aristocratic east to restore a government of VA which was based on the democratic principles of the United States of America.

Thank goodness for their arrogance combined with stupidity. Imagine how much harder we would have been fighting if they actually had competent attorneys, accountants, and ad-men? The arrogance and stupid has continually worked to our advantage.
As for Dick ... thar guy is absolute EVIL! He is the greediest bastard ever. The one you know who aspires to one day be. However, Dick has always had many intelligent greedy bastards working under him, Evinson ... not so much.