Published: January 24, 2007 09:19 am         

Lahmansville residents don't like route for power line

PETERSBURG - Lahmansville area residents are not opposed to a new power line proposed by Allegheny Energy, but they don't want it to follow a route through their farms and community that already have a high voltage power line, Corridor H construction and a flood control project.

About 20 people attended the Grant County Commission meeting Tuesday evening to protest the southernmost routes designated by the utility as S-59 and S-60, which also includes S-58 from which the other two branch off.

Hank Kopple addressed the commissioners first. He said that several representatives of the community and various civic groups and organizations have met and agreed they needed to make their concerns known to the county commissioners.

The routes proposed by the utility were laid out in a public meeting previously. Kopple said that maps at that meeting were not very detailed and it was only recently that he saw more detailed versions of the proposed routes.

Larry DeHaven said the two routes are located between Foreman and Lahmansville where Corridor H is being constructed. He said that this is the eastern gateway to the county that provides visitors with their first impression.

He said that instead of the current tranquil pastoral setting they see, if the line takes that route, visitors will be greeted by large towers and a series of lines. "Corridor H has been touted as a scenic highway and the viewshed will be spoiled," he said.

Terry Lahman said that his concern was primarily a church and cemetery over which the lines would pass if the southern route is chosen.

"It doesn't feel right to have power lines that close to the church and cemetery," he said.

Anne Kopple said that her family farm has suffered already from the construction of Corridor H and a flood control dam. "The line would cut the farm in half," she said. "This is a little more than 'not in my backyard;' I supported Corridor H."

Other residents also spoke on the power line indicating that they, too, supported the highway corridor and they recognize the need for additional power lines but don't understand why they can't follow the path of existing power lines through the area.

"Our backyard has been hit pretty hard already," said one.

Hank Kopple reiterated that he and the others believe they have done their share.

Property owner Alice Lyons Coler said that her property has been a private escape for her family for many years and she, along with adjacent property owners are very much opposed to the route being considered for the line.

"We don't need it and we certainly won't get any benefit from it," she said.

Petersburg attorney John Ours also addressed the commissioners on behalf of several property owners, indicating that all had supported Corridor H and these would be the people most affected by the proposed power line route.

He said the focus needs to be on locating the line in a way that does the least damage to the county.

It was noted that the Hardy County Commission had sent a letter to the utility noting concerns expressed by residents of that county to the location of the proposed high voltage line that is intended to improve transmission to the high demand areas of the PJM grid which it serves, mostly in the cities of the northeast.

The group called on the Grant County commissioners to send a letter expressing their concerns as well.

Commission President Jim Wilson said that he had spoken with Charles Friddle of Allegheny Energy, who indicated that no route has been selected and is not likely to be for about nine months. When the route is narrowed down then it will still have to go before the Public Service Commission for additional public hearings.

DeHaven said that there are Federal Energy Commission hearings going on right now and the results of those might nullify decisions by the PSC and the state.

Commissioner Charlie Gold-izen offered a motion to write a letter to Allegheny Energy supporting the concerns ex-pressed by the group - not opposing the power line project, but the routes that would take it through Lahmansville. It passed unanimously.

Mona Ridder can be reached at mridder@times-news.com.