One of Sen. Bob Casey's attempts to prevent the federal government from having the final say over state decisions on where to put electrical power transmission lines failed on a voice vote today in the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Several senators expressed concern that the issue, which could impact Washington and Greene counties in Western Pennsylvania, was outside the jurisdiction of the committee. A representative for the senator said that Mr. Casey will consider taking the issue before the Energy Committee.

The representative said Mr. Casey was "not taking any options off the table at this point."

Mr. Casey also has placed a hold on the renomination of the Chairman Joseph Kelliher of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The commission considers appeals of state decisions on transmission lines.