Allegheny Energy has agreed to give its West Virginia customers a seven-year reprieve from costs associated with a proposed $1.3-billion multistate power line.

Allegheny also agreed to locate 100 to 150 jobs in north-central West Virginia and to build a $50-million facility there.

The state Public Service Commission must approve the agreement, which Allegheny reached with the PSC's Consumer Advocate Division and staff, and the West Virginia Energy Users Group. Allegheny announced the agreement Tuesday evening.

Allegheny subsidiary Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company wants to build the 500-kilovolt, 240-mile power line between Washington County, Pennsylvania, and Loudoun County, Virginia. In West Virginia, the line would pass through Monongalia, Preston, Tucker, Grant, Hardy and Hampshire counties.

Regulators in Pennsylvania and Virginia also must approve the project.