Rep. Craig Dally (R-Northampton) is a legislator whose gerrymandered district includes Bushkill and Moore Townships. Those two townships are in one of three possible paths being considered by PPL for a new, 150 mile long, high voltage power line extending from Berwick, PA to Roseland, NJ. Dally has told PPL to keep this power line out of the Lehigh Valley.Here's part of Craig's letter.
PPL has identified three possible routes for this project. Route A begins at the PPL Electric Utilities switching station near Berwick and travels northeast through Luzerne and Lackawanna counties on a path of an existing 230-kV power line. The line then travels east through Lackawanna and Wayne counties primarily on the path of existing power lines before heading east-southeast through Pike County.
Route B begins at the PPL Electric Utilities switching station near Berwick and travels through Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wayne counties on the same power line rights of way as Route A. Route B separates from Route A at a point northeast of Lake Wallenpaupack and travels south through the Delaware State Forest on the path of an existing 230-kV power line.
Route C begins at the PPL Electric Utilities switching station near Berwick and travels south primarily on an existing future-use right of way through Luzerne and Schuylkill counties. The line then travels east primarily on future-use or existing transmission power line routes in Schuylkill and Lehigh counties. The line then moves east-northeast through Northampton County on the path of an existing power line.
As the State Representative for the 138th House District, I am writing to formally oppose proposed Route C. After reviewing the information concerning this Route, 1 believe that another option would be best in order to achieve the stated goals of PPL to improve electric service reliability and ensure that existing infrastructure is not overloaded. I believe that planning such an expansive project on "future-use right of ways" or "future-use transmission power line routes'' unnecessarily burdens the citizens of the 13 8th District while other options use existing power line rights of way.
Further, I have heard from many constituents who received PPL's notice concerning the Susquehanna-Roseland Power Line and they have encouraged me to express opposition to Route C based on potential environmental impacts, impacts on scenic and historical sites, existing land use, and plant and wildlife habitats. I believe that during the public comment period, these views will be echoed by many individuals.
I appreciate the need for PPL Electric Utilities to address the growing infrastructure needs of Pennsylvania's power network. I take you at your word when you say, "We understand that this kind of work can cause concerns for nearby residents. We are being extremely careful to balance the need to build this project with our responsibility to care for the environment and to minimize the impact on nearby residents." I believe that after the series of public input meetings concerning Route C, PPL will come to the same conclusion that I am advocating here - that Route C is not the best option for this project.
12 comments:
Hmm a Repub oppsed to a plan pitched by a corporation.
I reckon this proves the "N.I.M.B.Y." (Not in my backyard) bit George Carlin did on his 1992 HBO special correct.
"BUILD MORE POWER LINES! NOT IN MY BACKYARD!"
Maybe the most amazing point is all the plans directly avoid passing through Monroe County. (unless I missed it)
Did the Republican Giant (At a height of 5'1") State Rep. Mario Scavello unleashed his bagles of death.
Or maybe the people who planned did not want to have blackouts in NJ every tuesday in the winter for another ice storm.
Dally is such a man of the people. I bet it hurt after having years of PPL support.
Actually, Dally is a man of the people. I can't remember the last time he had an opponent.
Breaking news..Power outtage in Allentown..PPL strikes back at the people of the LV! How dare we stand in their way..holding us hostage now!
Do high voltage power lines cause impotency? I heard this once and always wondered if it was true. Any testimonials out there in cyberspace?
This power line will not provide one bit of power to PA> The people in Moore and Lehigh have a straightline system (as opposed to the more stable loop)that does not allow pickup by another feed and they must deal with fequent outages. Surges and brown outs are common in the area. The area will not be served or up graded by the power lines but they will have all of the drawbacks, dangers and incovenience. Why don't they just build a plant in Roseland NJ if that who needs the electricity? Think of the savings on the construction of those power lines and since there is a plan to put in another plant in Berwick to help serve that transmission line, it makes sense to build it in NJ instead .
Rs are generally unopposed in Bushkill and Moore. The Rs who exclusively run Bushkill have only increased taxes once or twice in 20 years - and it's still a nice place to live.
The transmission lines in Bushkill already exist and would be piggybacked by my understanding. Is Craig opposed to that which already exists or am I missing a piece here?
BTW. Craig's a nice guy, but his wife is the looks and brains of the operation. I'd vote for her!
Your are mistaken, Anon 10:42. The proposal in the LV extends along existing ROWs as well as future use ROWs. In other words, PPL hasd the ROW, but no line is there. I can tell you that will be a nightmare.
Thanks for the details re: ROWs. I'm puzzled as to their definition of "piggyback." Towers and lines currently run through Bushkill. Are these the ROWs in question? If so, what's the big deal. If not, different story. I appreciate the information as I'm close to the lines and am not able to make the meetings.
Bernie,
I would actually make the argument that you are wrong and Craig Dally is NOT a "man of the people." You are correct that he has not had an opponent for a long, long time. That has more to do with the content of his district and not his substantial record as a legislator. He is, to the contrary, a back-bench, career politician, who won't truely take a stand in public on anything that matters and is not 100% safe.
I have spoken with Rep. Dally about stepping up and being a real voice in the past. He gave me politician nonsense back. In fact, I remember specifically hearing him talk tough on the State budget and how the Rs would be forcing change, etc. I never saw a public statement by the man and he voted for a budget that was 6% larger then the year before. Not exactly sticking up for the little guy.
Rep. Joe Brennan is more of a man of the people. When he ran for his seat he was specific in stating that he would use a "safe" D seat to push forward a progressive agenda. And he has done just that.
Now I realize that Dally is a Right wing R, but he has not used his "safe" seat to do anything other then collect a paycheck, taxpayed paid health care, and build up his taxpayed paid pension. Maybe in the end it is better that he gets nothing done, but don't call him a "man of the people" and don't tell me he is using his position for any good use.
I appreciate the information as I'm close to the lines and am not able to make the meetings.
As Dally's letter to PPL makes clear, this is not just a piggy back onto existing towers. There will be new towers and lines where currently, none exist. I know that some of this goes thru residential property in Moore Tp. It will also go right thru what little bit of wilderness is left along the Appalachian Trail. In the maps I saw on Thursday night, someone had noted a newly constructed home right on the future use ROW.
I'm praying I did not search the title to that property.
Anon 6:09,
I have known Craig Dally for many years. He was a Democrat when I first met him.
You don't like that budget Craig voted for? Well, Joe Brennan, whom you do consider a man of the people, voted for it, too.
In truth, they are both very good for their districts. I caertainly would call neither a back-bencher. Craig has been an outspoken advocate of constitutional reform. Joe has been an advocate of accountability and was among the first legislators to call for reform of the Sunshine Act and Right to Know law.
They have completely different ideologies, but both stand for open and accountable government and have been very resposive to their constituents. As far as I'm concerned theyu are both men of the people. We could use a few more people like both of them.
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