A resounding "no" to power line

Thursday, May 15, 2008

By Glen Miller

Chardon City Council's opposition to construction of a proposed transmission line through parts of the city was strong, decisive and unanimous.

Council President and Mayor Karen Simpson summed up the feeling of council last Thursday when she said: "We are prepared to fight this, whatever it takes."

Rarely has there been unanimity among council, which normally votes 4-3 on controversial issues.

In late March, the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) asked FirstEnergy Corporation if had considered a combination of the Geauga Park District's Maple Highlands Trail right-of-way and utilization of an abandoned railroad corridor through Chardon as an alternative route for its proposed 138-kilovolt transmission line.

Although the energy company said use of approximately 75 percent of the bike trail right-of-way was considered in the route selection process, it did not evaluate utilization of a corridor through Chardon. As such, it requested a continuance of public and adjudicatory hearings scheduled for May 12, 13 and 21 in order to review the impacts of the bike trail right-of-way and utilization of the corridor through Chardon as a viable route selection.

Everyone, including several dozen residents attending council's May 8 meeting, seemed to agree with Councilwoman Leslie Bednar's argument against routing the line along the suggested route.

"I certainly stand opposed to it because of the destruction of aesthetics and of the walkability of our community," Bednar said.

The finger of blame was not pointed at FirstEnergy, however, but rather the OPSB.

Chardon Law Director Jim Gillette asked if consideration of the bike/walking trail and Chardon as an alternative route resulted from pressure exerted by the Citizens Advocating Responsible Energy (CARE), a non-profit organization primarily made up of residents who would be impacted directly by the construction of FirstEnergy's power line along Route 528 through Thompson, Montville and Huntsburg townships.

"We really can't comment on that," said Rob Schmidt, an attorney for FirstEnergy. "We have reason to believe that public input from CARE had an impact on this and the request by the (OPSB) staff for more additional information."

Several other factors may be involved as well, he added.

The preferred nearly 15-mile-long route would run parallel to Route 528. It would begin at a proposed distribution substation on Route 322 in Huntsburg Township and would run north through mostly farm land in Huntsburg, Montville and Thompson townships.

An alternative route would run through those same townships along Clay Street.

CARE claims the transmission line would be an eyesore and would have significantly higher environmental impacts than other existing routes.

"If it were going to cut through my property, I'd want to relocate it, too," said Councilman Phil King. "But, I've got to believe the environmental impact would be much greater cutting through our city than it would be there.

"I've just got to believe that we just aren't a good site," he added.

FirstEnergy Siting Engineer Ted Krauss agreed. The company's initial analysis of the bike trail and abandoned railroad corridor would have a greater impact than the preferred route, he said.

Part of an abandoned railroad right-of-way on which the Maple Highlands Trail is built was considered as a possible route by FirstEnergy more than a decade ago, Krauss added.

The right-of-way runs through Chardon. Trees and vegetation along it and the bike trail would have to be cleared to avoid possible power outages. Federal regulations would require their removal, Schmidt said.

Based on the company's evaluation, Krauss said consideration of the right-of-way was abandoned because "it did not score as well" as the preferred or alternate routes.

Following discussion, council adopted a resolution opposing use of the bike trail and abandoned railroad corridor as a viable route. The resolution reads, in part, "the construction of overhead or underground transmission lines through the City of Chardon is not in the best interest of its citizens."

It further states council "wishes to communicate its strong opposition to the Ohio Power Siting Board and public officials of the State of Ohio at the earliest possible time."

Roughly 35 property owners, the largest being the park district, would be affected if the OPSB were to locate the transmission line through the city and bike path. In comparison, around 90 property owners would be affected along FirstEnergy's favored rural route, Krauss said.

Although FirstEnergy has not considered the impact on property values, Councilman Jeff Campbell, a banker, argued property values in the city would be affected negatively.

Several people in the audience asked questions. Among them was Chardon resident Barbara Inderlied, who asked about the legality of using public park land for the project.

"Our legal analysis, and part of the reason we oppose this, is we do not have the authority," said Schmidt.

Park district officials previously have said prior court rulings may prevent power lines from being routed through park land.

Bednar urged residents to embark on a letter-writing campaign to voice their opposition to the bike trail/Chardon route. Gillette noted CARE is a well-organized group that uses publicity to support its goals.

Suggested recipients of letters include Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and state Sen. Timothy Grendell.

Bednar said letters should especially be directed to Alan R. Schriber, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the head of the OPSB.

It is the siting board that will decide which of the proposed routes is best, she added.

"Include your own personal feelings and opinions about why you think this would be a bad idea," Bednar urged residents.

Councilman Robert Cromwell asked why FirstEnergy's preferred route could not be built underground, thereby avoiding the impact of overhead transmission lines in rural or suburban areas.

The main reason is the approximately $4 million a mile cost, Krauss said. A typical overhead line only costs about $400,000 a mile.

"It's a combination of additional environmental impacts, costs and a third factor -- we also consider the reliability," Krauss added.

It takes longer to find where an underground line problem is located. In addition, repair usually is more costly and time-consuming than with an overhead line, he said.

Answered Cromwell: "The cost to FirstEnergy is really not my concern."

Councilwoman Deborah Reiter quickly replied: "It is we who help pay for it (in higher rates)."

Letters opposing a proposed transmission line through Chardon and along the Maple Highlands Trail should be sent to:

Alan R. Schriber

Chairman

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

180 E. Broad St.

Columbus, Oh 34215

Gov. Ted Strickland

77 South High Street

Columbus, Oh 43215-6108

Ohio Sen. Timothy Grendell

Senate Building, Room 042

Columbus, Oh 43215