Proposed PPL power line routes opposed

By TOM KANE

MILFORD, PA - Opposition is growing to two possible high-tension power line routes across the Delaware River suggested by PPL Electric Utility on June 5.

The first proposed plan, called Plan A, will cut through the Kittatinny Campground site on Route 209 north of Milford. A second plan, called Plan B, will traverse the Delaware River near Bushkill.

Opposing Plan A are the owners of the campground, Ruth Jones and her son David.

“Not only will it ruin our campground along the river north of Milford but it will impact adversely on the National Park Service’s Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is right behind us at the river’s edge,” David Jones said.

Because the river is so wide at that point and has a number of small islands there, it would be necessary to put up a high-wire tower on one of the islands in order to span the river valley, he said.

“Such a move would be dangerous because of the threat of flooding along that stretch of the river,” he said. “Ice flows could pull down the tower and cause considerable damage.”

It makes more sense, he said, to select the proposed Plan C, which crosses the river near Martins Creek, north of Phillipsburg and Easton.

“There are far more electricity users in the heavy populations in that area.” Jones said.

“Rather than put up a new line, why not widen the existing line so that it could carry more electricity to New Jersey and beyond and cause little disturbance to our local economy,” said Pike County Commissioner Rich Caridi.

The Plan A route was also opposed by the Shohola Township Board at its meeting on June 12. “The proposed Route A passes through several large parcels in the township, which have been preserved by conservation easements as authorized by the PA Conservation and Preservation Easement Act of 2001,” said a resolution passed by the township that opposed the Route A proposal.

Visit www.pplreliablepower.com for more information. Detailed maps can be viewed at www.pplreliablepower.com/projectupdates.htm .