Pike doesn't want power plan's ‘turmoil'

Milford — “It’s a sham and it’s not going to accomplish anything but scaring people,” said Pike County Commissioners’ Chair Richard Caridi. Caridi spoke of PPL’s recently publicized proposal for a 500Kv electric transmission that would bring two of three alternative power corridors through Pike County on the way to New Jersey consumers. One route will be chosen. A third route carries the project, the Susquehanna-Roseland Power Line, away from Pike through southerly Northampton County. A new power line is not without its supporters. Greg Yetter of Milford blogged on last week’s story. “... why not let them? Then we can see if we can get PP&L to acquire PCP&L, get us out of the ultraexpensive N.Y. grid... Our civic leaders and the Pike County Chamber should be all over this with great enthusiasm!” Caridi said there has been correspondence and that utility and public officials have been discussing the power line for the past two months. PPL ‘s Web site said the routes were “identified” on June 5, when it sent “fact sheet” letters to property owners within 1,000 feet of the proposed routes. The utility also stated earlier that land acquisitions will be required no matter which of the three alternatives is chosen. However, PPL lists “future-use or existing transmission power line routes” in every affected county along all three routes, except Pike. That is the principal reason Caridi believes the ongoing workshops and alternative route selection process is a sham. “They’re in business to make a profit. I don’t think they’re going to spend additional millions of dollars on land purchases, condemnation proceedings, route construction and permitting; scare the hell out people and make an uproar when they can expand existing routes they already have,” he said. He said his own talks with PPL officials have reinforced his belief that the route selection process is “smoke and mirrors,” in that the process is required by state and federal regulators. The county’s official position, in Caridi’s terms, is a statement to PPL. “Don’t create more turmoil. We’ve already got enough.” Aside from the question of the proposal’s authenticity, Caridi added, “I’m tired of Pike County’s being a conduit for New Jersey’s needs.” For more information and detailed maps of the three proposed routes, visit http://www.pplreliablepower.com/projectupdates.htm Milford area workshop scheduled for June 30 Last Friday PPL scheduled an additional public workshop on the power line project for the Milford area. This was an addition to the eight other “open houses” being held along the potential line routes. The Milford public workshop will be held Monday, June 30, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Best Western Inn at Hunt’s Landing in Matamoras.