I think it's a terrible idea. The Daily Record article stated that the power lines aren't even necessary. Besides, we wouldn't be getting any beneifit from the extra power, why should we let PSE&G use our land?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 15, 2008 10:53 AM
We are very concerned about expanding the existing Power Transmission line in Montville. The negative impact on real estate values in and around the effected areas will be significant.I am surprised that the notion of a Sting of 193 foot poles towering through the heart of the township has not caused an outcry. The TC was right to bring this to the public's attention.
Posted by
amontee@aol.com
on
July 15, 2008 2:54 PM
I attended the meeting tonight. I think the Township Committee and the residents did a great job of grilling the power company people but it was evident that the 193 foot poles are coming whether we like it or not.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 15, 2008 11:40 PM
I also attended the meeting and was horrified at both the lack of concern expressed regarding the environmental impact of the project and the apparent ignorance of the JCP&L team there about the fact that our sole water source is located directly in the path of this planned power expansion. Despite the claims that the final route has yet to be decided, we were told by the people doing the clear cutting (er, "vegetation maintenance") on our property this Spring that the lines were being cleared so much because new towers were going in. This was the first we'd heard of it (having not been aware of any public meetings on the subject) and I am very glad the Town Council gave us residents the opportunity to speak up in a public forum. Unfortunately, per the above, I believe the route is already a done deal and the best Montville can do is demand compensation for the township and for the property owners directly affected. I cannot believe that a deal struck in 1928 has any relevance to today's situation, particularly in light of the scope and potential negative impact of this project.
Donna Ambriano
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 16, 2008 9:32 AM
What streets are the poles going to be on. I went to the JCPL website and the map does not show street level.
I was out of town and could not attend the meeting. Can someone who was there give a recap?
Thanks.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 16, 2008 3:41 PM
The info isn't on the JPL website because they have nothing to do with the project. Those paying attention would know that this is a PSEG deal.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 16, 2008 6:13 PM
Don't be snide -- it was a typo -- here is the link to the map I was referring to: http://www.pseg.com/companies/pseandg/powerline/pdf/SR_Study_Area_Map_5-30_NJ.PDF
That being said -- does anyone have info as to where we can find a street level map that would show the route and what happened at the meeting this week.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 17, 2008 8:52 AM
FYI: There are maps at town hall in the meeting room on the wall. PSEG reps said the power point presentation would be sent to the town and posted on the town's web. Not sure when this will happen, hopefully soon.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 17, 2008 9:18 AM
At town hall PSE&G left maps showing the routes and tower sections. At the end of the meeting these maps were used by PSE&G to discuss the BPU mandated clear cutting program. The results of which you can see from RT 202 opposite the police station. We also asked PSE&G for a soft copy of the presentation they made so we can put it on the township website. They witheld that info pending review by I guess their legal dept.
Best bet is stop at town hall and look at the maps or look out your window from your house. The new hi line is in the same right of way as the current 230KV tower system which will be removed and combined on the 193 foot joint 500KV and 240KV transmission monopoles.
If you start at the Public Safety building,the high tension tower lines there run into Montville Chase (Route 202), then over to Old Lane, up Waughaw Mountain cross over to the other side(the latter being the site of our one and only water source. That should at least give you a start as to where to look. You might try Google Earth to get an arial view.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 17, 2008 2:58 PM
Thanks. Will the lines be going past any of our schools????
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 18, 2008 8:32 AM
Not sure, the lines already exist. If there's a big stanchion by any of the schools now, it's projected to be a gigantic pole by 2012! Also to answer Ron's question to Art, we were never given a straight answer by PSE&G as to why the lines couldn't be buried. The cynics among us believe it is a cost issue. Which brings us to the point that since we, the rate payers, are the suckers paying for all this "improvement", shouldn't we be the ones deciding how the project should be implemented (within reason, of course! I'm just talking a sane discussion on below ground vs above ground installation). I would maintain that there would probably be less pushback from affected towns if the lines were buried rather than having them strung like Christmas lights all over the place. Fiber optic cable is buried all the time, isn't it?
Donna Ambriano
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 18, 2008 11:07 AM
"Why are the wires not being buried"
answer: It is harder to maintain buried cable, and it costs much more to do this.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 23, 2008 8:56 AM
Yes - It is much more expensive to bury vs aerial construction. It is also safer to have the hi voltage lines above ground for several reasons with one being inspections.
The citizen that spoke at the meeting that works for CON Ed on their 340KV line would have been a great person for Montville Twp to sponsor as their representative before the BPU in Newark. It wouldn't change the outcome but this guy was very articulate and professional.
Forgot to answer your question regarding two 250 KV lines vs one 500KV line. The answer is the 500KV can carry much more current hence power than two 250KV lines.
While these transmission lines are described as KV lines the generating stations that connect to them are quantified in Megawatts which is how much power they can generate. The transmission lines need to be designed to move the power which is a function of current flow AND voltage.
Yes I have a BSEE. Everyone knows I have the BS part covered since I'm a politician the EE is not in this type of field. I was in micro electronics so the guy to talk to is the guy that was at the meeting that spoke about Con Ed and the 340KV line he maintains. We can get his name and address from the meeting records.
What is the problem here? Their buiding in the existing right of way for heavens sakes!
If you didn't like living near power lines you shouldnt have bought your house!
Posted by
Pete
on
July 25, 2008 3:08 PM
If they are using the current ROW, these expansive lines are going right behind Lazar. The ball fields are VERY close to the current lines. Kids start playing on these fields at the age of 5 for T-ball. It's very frightening....we really have no idea of the long term effects these lines will have because there haven't been any comprehensive studies that have done.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 28, 2008 8:50 PM
Well, Pete, I guess the problem is that when we bought our houses we were aware of the existance of the power lines; we were not aware we would be the guinea pigs for a project involving at least twice the voltage PLUS the existing voltage placed on towers 100 feet TALLER than the existing stanchions that have the potential to cause health issues like childhood leukemia. It's sort of like you buying a house close to a country lane and then finding out they're making it into a 4 lane highway. Oh, and by the way, whatever value your home loses due to these decisions is just your tough luck because somebody somewhere once signed an agreement in 1928 so they don't have to pay you a dime to do it. I hope that clarifies things.
Donna Ambriano
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 31, 2008 1:20 PM
I was asked by the Neighbor news reporter to comment on the hi line but I was out of town abd didn't get my response in on time for the article. Here are some salient points the public should consider.
Hi Lisa
Sorry it took so long to get back to you I'm out of town.
Of course PSE&G will build the 500 KV line. What concerns me the most is that the BPU, which is supposed to be pro-citizen rights, has not required power companies to supply current and future EMF levels when large scale, hi voltage, transmission lines are constructed. These types of hi voltage lines having been in use for years so why the secrecy with providing readings along the route? They should take the readings during the summer months when power demand (current flow) is hi.
Like I stated during the meeting you have 230 KV at 93 feet now and you will have 230 KV at about 120 feet with the new line with the 500 KV on top at 170 feet. Even though the top of the pole is 192 feet the center line of this phase is about 170 feet. So who is to say how much of an impact the 500 KV will have. The BPU should force PSE&G to take readings now and baseline the current 230 KV system at 92 feet and then take follow up readings at the same points when the 500 KV is constructed.
So why, after 30 years of this type of construction, does the BPU not have any EMF measurements available to the public?
Hope this helps!
Regards, Art
In a message dated 7/16/2008 2:35:32 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Kintish@northjersey.com writes: Hi Art, Any comments about the PSE&G meeting? Please repeat the comments you made about BPU and your recommendations to them. Thank you. Lisa
The basic premise that increasing capacity is necessary must be questioned. Given the dangerous course the world is taking with wholesale increases in power consumption of all types, shouldn't the long range plan be preparing to do more with less? Assuming more consumption and adding more capacity is "old school" thinking that our region, and the earth, can no longer sustain without dire consequences. Conservation and efficiency should be the plan
Projects such as this are always sold as being for the benefit of the current population, when in fact the true beneficiaries are those planning to make a buck in developement that requires the basics of power, water, and sewerage.
Frank Lechleiter
Posted by
Frank Lechleiter
on
August 6, 2008 11:44 AM
As someone who was stuck in the Chrysler Building during the August 2003 power failure I don't think there's any doubt that additional capacity is required.
I also don't think that there is anything we can do to stop this from happening.
What we should do is work to get a baseline study of what the EMF's currently are so that we can tell what, if any, increase the new lines bring.
Ya know what? When the wind blows we lose power in Montville. We do need more power because we are getting overdeveloped and I'm sure the power systems are old. I am for it. I AM TIRED OF THE POWER GOING OUT IN THIS TOWN. We all pay plenty of taxes and we deserve it. Plus, these power lines have been in our town from many, many years ago. The homeowners who bought homes in Montville near power lines knew where they were buying. They saw the power lines near their home and bought there anyway. I don't even see the power lines frankly right now. I'm saying yes to it.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 6, 2008 7:48 PM
Know the Facts...These powerlines will not be supplying any power at all to Montville.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 6, 2008 10:31 PM
I am amazed at the comments I am reading. The current power lines running through town didn't seem like a concern when they built Montville Chase. They weren't an issue when we built our New Police department under them, and now they are all the rage.We don't want new power lines in "our Backyard", but we build million dollar homes with multiple A/C units that suck up lots of power to cool our castles. If you are so outraged at new power lines, take the stand and cut your power consumption. To the comment about "The lines run through the town and are not for us"? They are all part of a grid system. I know it seems like a poor deal, but the first time we have a major power outage the town will demand action and the comments will fly about "Why don't they do something about this".This is a Governmental mandate (Taking action to prevent such outages like the one that darkened the east cost a few years ago). As a correction to the 86 river road tower height, the tower was originally built to the 140' level and was extended to the 170' level a few years ago. This allowed more cell carriers to occupy the tower bringing extra revenue to the town. We need to think of the big picture before our knee jerk reactions. The power lines have been there since at least the late 50's. Look at the difference between Montville now and 50 years ago. Our power consumption has probably tripled and this is the first sigh of an upgrade in years. Take a look at the power wires near the Towaco train station. They are so old the insulation around the wires are falling off. How good can that be to have the wires exposed to the weather constantly without proper insulation. We need to really think about strengthening our infrastructure as a Town and as a nation. We here comments about environmental impact,home value and economic impact concerning power lines. How about taking steps town wide to insure our infrastructure is solid and our government works well together to maintain and improve our environment, Home and Property value, and encourage economic groth. My last stance on my soap box is this. We buy Open space in town (Which by the way always seems like land which is undevelopable)to protect the environment. I am OK with protecting open land and the environment, however we then take nice green grass fields, tear them up and plant plastic claiming it will save us money. The DPW workers that cut the grass will now maintain the turf. In 7-10 years the turf has to be replaced. I'm missing the savings here. OK I'm done. Thanks for giving this a read!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 7, 2008 7:16 PM
I live right by there and if something has to go there I would like a Whole Foods or a Trader Joe's.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 8, 2008 12:17 AM
Those of us near the lines now knew what we were getting into; the issue is that the PSE&G project is far beyond what we bargained for when we built our houses in the 1970's. My house has neither multiple air conditioning units nor is it anywhere near a "castle". I do my best to conserve electricity (with an all-electric house, you HAVE to!) and suffer mightily when the power goes out...however, those unsightly, poorly maintained lines are more likely to be JCP&L lines. The infrastructure you would like to see upgraded is theirs, and they apparently are very happy to continue piecemeal and patchwork fixes. I would love to be able to have buried lines, or upgraded lines, but if you're suggesting PSE&G should do it, you're barking up the wrong tree.
Donna Ambriano
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 8, 2008 3:54 PM
I thought this article was enlightening re: the need to bolster the power grid:
We have started a grassroots effort against this project. We believe this project can be stopped or slowed down. There is at least 1 school (in fredon) that is right on the lines. Please log on, sign the petition, and e-mail any contact info that you have so that we can meet ! Thanks
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 29, 2008 10:07 AM
The original grantor's of easements along the route (1929 in my case) would NEVER have given an easement for 180+ foot towers and 230Kv + 500Kv lines. NO WAY.
This line is intended to bring cheap power in to Roseland and east of Roseland. Homeowners and towns along the route should be compensated for this, since it is just a way for PSE&G to sell more power. The fact that we (NJ) are designated as a "transmission corridor" seems to be a convenient justification for PSE&G to increase their sales.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
August 29, 2008 10:13 AM
My case, too, although I looked at my easement and discovered that permission was mutually agreed on FOR THAT TOWER AT THAT TIME. Any further construction MUST HAVE THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PROPERTY OWNER. This may give those of us directly (and most negatively)impacted by the project some recourse. I am also not inclined to sign the piece of paper giving permission for PSE&G to roam my property for surveys, soil samples, etc. until that issue (and others involving the lack of cleanup in my yard and reimbursement for the electric fence they broke) is resolved. I would highly encourage anyone else who receives a visit from the Commonwealth consultants (who are lovely people, by the way) consider doing the same.
Donna Ambriano
Posted by
Anonymous
on
September 11, 2008 10:36 AM
Let me get this straight. There are people here who are saying that on the one hand, they have this easment that they want to enforce to the very letter of the agreement in order to prevent PSE&G from changing these poles. They say, 'We knew the story when we bought our homes, and this is a change from what we have in writing.' On the other hand, when it comes to the town plowing the streets in the condo communities, they want to completely ignore the agreements that were in place when they purchased, and say 'We didn't know about this when we bought our home. These agreements should be thrown out.' Tell me if I'm missing something here.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
September 18, 2008 10:09 AM
I don't live in a condo development nor do I have any knowledge of what's going on with snowplowing. I DO know there's a meeting to discuss the PSEG project on October 2 at 7:30 at the Lake Valhalla club. If you are concerned about the power line project, please come. The more of us who band together, the better off we'll be.
Donna Ambriano
Posted by
Anonymous
on
September 22, 2008 10:21 AM
For those of you directly affected, you probably already received the PSEG letter. For those who aren't, here's what it says:
- There is NO compensation planned for any property devaluation due to this project. PSEG claims that since the right of way has existed since the 1920's, they don't believe the line will affect the value of nearby properties. I believe this is being deliberatly obtuse. The easement might have existed in the 1920's, but 500kV lines surely didn't. - You can accept the PSEG property evaluation and offer of compensation for additional property rights needed beyond the existing easement. If you don't they'll exercise the option to go to the BPU and acquire your property by eminent domain. As a property owner, I feel my rights are being assaulted here. This seems to be a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" proposition at best. At worst (and more accurately)it's akin to corporate blackmail. - The letter states there is no definitive link between EMF and human health issues, despite there being clear and incontrovertible evidence specifically related to childhood leukemia and EMF exposure. In addition, many European studies show a causal link to EMF and cancers in the human population. Denying that there's a link doesn't mean it's not so. And falling back on the "no state standards with regards to magnetic field levels nor are there any federal rules, regulations or standards for either electric or magnetic field levels" story is simply irresponsible. As the so-called "leader" in the field, shouldn't PSEG be making an effort to be SURE their project won't cause health-related issues? Again, it's akin to a 2 year old holding their hands over their eyes and assuming they're invisible. Just because there aren't standards doesn't mean there shouldn't be. Let's see what the East Hanover EMF study shows first before allowing PSEG to ram a project that may be shown later to have harmful health consequences through, and then it's too late to do anything about it.
Whether you're directly impacted by this project or not, it's important to understand the larger property, eminent domain, health, and need-based issues. This project has not been proven to be necessary--in fact, PJM's own documents state that the reason the project should go through is to sell the power to Long Island and NYC. This in no way benefits NJ (estimated annual peak demand increase of 2%, or less than 100 hours per year), nor will it do anything to solve our local power outage issues (talk to JCP&L about that). It will lower property values throughout Montville, and may have long-lasting health ramifications for many of its residents. I urge you to attend local meetings to find out more about this project, and what we as a township can do to stop it.
