Saw Creek residents oppose powerline

Opposition to the PPL project is growing

By TOM KANE

BUSHKILL, PA - At two public hearings held on March 20 by the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on the proposed construction of a power line, over 800 residents and others expressed their opposition.

The hearings were officiated by PUC judge Susan Cowell.

Also present at both hearings was PA senator Lisa Baker, who issued a statement against the proposed construction of the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line project by PPL Corporation. The new line will stretch from Susquehanna County to New Jersey, crossing the Delaware River near the location of the Saw Creek Estates, a private residential community in Bushkill.

“There is no perfect corridor [for the electric line], and this one is clearly imperfect, as evidenced by the outcry that led to this hearing,” Baker said.

Based on her review of information pertaining to the project and discussions with affected individuals, she objected to the project “as it pertains to Saw Creek Estates.”

“People who spoke against the project had done their homework and revealed how the transmission lines would have strong negative results on the people who live in Saw Creek Estates,” said Peter Derrenbacher, president of Saw Creek Estates.

The line would directly impact 147 homes, which would be very near to the site of the lines and adversely affect the resale value of their homes. Derrenbacher said, “There are also dangers caused by the electro-magnetic fields that surround the wires. Despite what the company says about the lack of danger, it has been proven that children especially are affected by these fields.”

Harry Forbes, Pike County Commissioner, who presented a letter of opposition signed by all three commissioners, questioned the need for the line given the drop in energy consumption all across the country in recent months.

Derrenbacher claimed that a story carried by the Reuters news network said that James Miller, PPL CEO, attended a conference in Houston and admitted that the demand for electrical energy has fallen markedly in recent months.

Electric companies around the nation have laid off 200 workers, Derrenbacher said. “How can they say that this transmission line is so vital when the demand is dropping off so markedly?”

It is expected that the PUC will hold future hearings.