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Almost 100 concerned residents assembled in the Thornhurst Fire Hall to express concern over the 230-kilovolt power line that could run through parts of Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties.
Frances Page, spokeswoman for Ad Hoc Citizens Group, began with a brief overview on what the group does and who it involves.
“It is an extremely talented group of concerned neighbors,” Page said, “and I am able to speak intelligently on their behalf on this issue because of their input on an ongoing basis.”
She continued, “The biggest news is that the deal is not done. We are fighting the route, not the issue...” - meaning there is still time to try to convince PPL to deviate from their intended route.
It is believed that PPL will file their application with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) in the fall.
Page then introduced Dianne Dusman, Senior Assistant Consumer Advocate from Harrisburg, which, despite its broad name, only advocates in public utility related issues in Pennsylvania.
Dusman explained that the regulations that apply to utilities applying to the PUC have not really changed much since the mid 1980s. However, there are certain standards in place to limit the impact projects such as these have on the environment and the public.
The first step in this entire process is that PPL files an extensive application with the PUC.
Dusman stressed that it is better to file any objections to the application early because if a substantial change in the plan has to be made, the applicant (PPL) has to file a new application.
If there are protests filed, the PUC will assign an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to the case and the protesters will be heard.
If the ALJ determines that there is enough public interest in the case, that will trigger public hearings complete with sworn statements under oath, stenographers and transcripts. The transcripts become part of the PUC file.
Once the public hearings are concluded, the ALJ and PUC then decide on whether or not the application will be approved. If the decision is appealed, the matter is elevated to the PA Commonwealth Court.
In response to a resident’s question regarding what percentage of applications are denied, Dusman said, “we don’t keep statistics on that.”
However, she then gave an example in which the public hearings revealed potential damage to the environment that even the utility was not aware of and their application was denied.
Dusman assured the residents that the PUC takes the concerns of the public very seriously, and that the PUC lawyers are there to represent the public’s interest.
After thanking Dusman for attending the meeting, Page then addressed the crowd. “Our next step is making sure there is substantial public interest in this case,” she said.
The group will meet again at the Thornhurst Twp. Municipal Building on Monday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Almost 100 concerned residents assembled in the Thornhurst Fire Hall to express concern over the 230-kilovolt power line that could run through parts of Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties.
Frances Page, spokeswoman for Ad Hoc Citizens Group, began with a brief overview on what the group does and who it involves.
“It is an extremely talented group of concerned neighbors,” Page said, “and I am able to speak intelligently on their behalf on this issue because of their input on an ongoing basis.”
She continued, “The biggest news is that the deal is not done. We are fighting the route, not the issue...” - meaning there is still time to try to convince PPL to deviate from their intended route.
It is believed that PPL will file their application with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) in the fall.
Page then introduced Dianne Dusman, Senior Assistant Consumer Advocate from Harrisburg, which, despite its broad name, only advocates in public utility related issues in Pennsylvania.
Dusman explained that the regulations that apply to utilities applying to the PUC have not really changed much since the mid 1980s. However, there are certain standards in place to limit the impact projects such as these have on the environment and the public.
The first step in this entire process is that PPL files an extensive application with the PUC.
Dusman stressed that it is better to file any objections to the application early because if a substantial change in the plan has to be made, the applicant (PPL) has to file a new application.
If there are protests filed, the PUC will assign an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to the case and the protesters will be heard.
If the ALJ determines that there is enough public interest in the case, that will trigger public hearings complete with sworn statements under oath, stenographers and transcripts. The transcripts become part of the PUC file.
Once the public hearings are concluded, the ALJ and PUC then decide on whether or not the application will be approved. If the decision is appealed, the matter is elevated to the PA Commonwealth Court.
In response to a resident’s question regarding what percentage of applications are denied, Dusman said, “we don’t keep statistics on that.”
However, she then gave an example in which the public hearings revealed potential damage to the environment that even the utility was not aware of and their application was denied.
Dusman assured the residents that the PUC takes the concerns of the public very seriously, and that the PUC lawyers are there to represent the public’s interest.
After thanking Dusman for attending the meeting, Page then addressed the crowd. “Our next step is making sure there is substantial public interest in this case,” she said.
The group will meet again at the Thornhurst Twp. Municipal Building on Monday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.
