Power Lines Spark Debate

Does anyone have an opinion on this topic? http://www.nj.com/news/expressti....xml&coll=2

Is there a way to get a copy of the present proposed route for the power lines? I think I need a bit more information before I make an opinion.

I read the article quickly, but did not notice how to get this information?

Thank you, Jan, for posting this.

Coralie July 24, 2008 7:47 am | Link

Great map on the Front page of today's NJ Herald. Warren County towns that would be impacted are Hackettstown, Mansfield, Oxford, White Twp, They would replace the existing 80' to 100' with 180' to 190' towers. Meetings will be set up only if the towns request one. More info can be found at: www.reliabilityproject.pseg.com

John C July 24, 2008 7:55 am | Link

I think originally there were 3 different routes they were considering. Not sure if they've decided which one to go with yet or not.

Bryan July 24, 2008 8:07 am | Link

There are 3 routes. 2 are in Sussex County. The one that would affect us is on an existing route that would "grow" taller towers!

John C July 24, 2008 8:09 am | Link

The correct link is http://reliabilityproject.pseg.com without the www.

The exact map is here:

http://www.pseg.com/companies/psea...Map_5-30_NJ.PDF

It's hard to tell - does the last southern route actually hit Hackettstown proper? I'm sure there must be parts of it that are Hackettstown mailing addresses. But it looks like it goes through Mansfield to Washington Tsp. and may not hit Hackettstown unless it's at the very, very southern tip around the Mine Brook area.

GC July 24, 2008 9:37 am | Link

It will be on the existing track of the powerlines there now. 190' Towers will be visible from parts of Hackettstown (Think of approx 21 Story buildings every 150' apart)

John C July 24, 2008 9:47 am | Link

Are these the power lines that currently run through Donaldon's farm?

They are the one and the same!

John C July 24, 2008 9:52 am | Link

put wind generators on top of them :)

Hi Jay - Ordinarily I would agree with you but these towers are going to be so large I am afraid they would toppel over! The article stated the towers would be the size of a 21 story building. Right up front I will say I don't know the whole story and that is why I started this thread - I hoped some others might have more information. My first reaction is, however, is this going to be like the Highlands fiasco? I understand people need power but how come it is always our area that has to suffer to provide more other areas of the state with their power? And we're never adequately compensated for that. I think most people would agree that they live in this area because they like the aestics of open space and rolling hills. Now that is going to be taken away. Okay - what do we get in return? An eyesore? Reduced property values? Lower municipal revenues? I am fine with balance - just where is it? But I could be completely wrong so please let me know if you know more about this proposal.

Great - are there any health related side effects to be concerned about? I don't want to have 12 ears or something...and I live off of Allen Road....time to move maybe!

KAT July 25, 2008 3:21 pm | Link

Well Kat, when folks look over Mansfield way and wonder where you live, they'll just have to remember 3rd tower from the left.
And for the weather bunnies: Guess how many lightning strikes a tower this size gets in one year. Can you say "Glow in the Dark?"
Sad thing is power companies always win when they cry that it's needed!

John C July 25, 2008 3:55 pm | Link

Jan, I was just joking. It would be shear luck that they would be positioned correctly and of course the obvious safety issue of having blades spinning near high transmission lines.

GC Thanks for the link. I went to that page, then to this one:

http://www.pseg.com/companies/psea...ct_overview.jsp

where it gives an overview of the proposed routes and a link to an Adobe Acrobat map of the project. I contacted my sister to let her know about this since she lives in Flanders and has an existing power right-of-way several blocks from her house and she hadn't even heard of the possibility (obviously not her neighbors either). I sent her the link to the map, then checked the route against Hagstrom's "Morris/Sussex/Warren County Atlas" and I seem to be correct. Without this thread I may not have really noticed it cam that close to them until quite a bit later.

Not to be a NIMBY, but projects with this amount of voltage (500,000 volts) should be routed as much as possible away from pre-existing neighborhoods. If the present areas for the more northern routes do NOT go through other neighborhoods, then one of those routes should be chosen, even if they are somewhat longer. The reason for the taller towers is to negate the effects (or at least reduce the effects) of the electromagnetic field created by the electricity running through the power lines.

Some people say these types of lines are completely safe and others have tried to link them with childhood leukemia and other forms of cancer. The battle still rages, just like the controversy over continual cell phone usage, especially in younger children. In any case it is good to have the knowledge and attend the meetings to at least educate oneself as to what can be expected to come...

Phil D July 26, 2008 12:42 pm | Link