Proposed Power Line vote postponed by BPU

by: Jason Springer

Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 06:51:01 PM EST

Opponents of a massive power line planned to start in Hardwick and go all the way through Roseland have seen the BPU delay a decision while they consider new information:

A pending decision by the state Board of Public Utilities on a massive North Jersey power line project may be postponed to allow consideration of possible new evidence on the need or demand for the additional power, officials said today.
The BPU was poised to decide the fate of the 45-mile, $750 million high-voltage Susquehanna-Roseland power line proposed by PSE&G next Friday. However, it was asked by participants in the case to consider a recent decision by a related power provider in the mid-Atlantic region to withdraw a similar power line project application.
PATH Allegheny Virginia Transmission Corp. has asked for permission from a Virginia regulatory agency to withdraw its proposal to build a 276-mile, $1.8 billion high-voltage transmission line from West Virginia, through Virginia and to Maryland, due to a weak economy and growing energy conservation movement.

While environmental groups think that the line is not necessary and other companies are backing off, it doesn't seem like this delay is going to change PSE&G's attempts to move forward. They said they still think that the record will show they need more power for reliability reasons. This is what PSE&G's website says about the current system:

The existing power line was built in the 1920s and can't handle the modern load. The experts who manage the regional grid warn that we risk blackouts and brownouts starting in 2012 if we don't act. Most of the 23 circuits at risk for overload are in New Jersey.

Here's more on the proposed power line and the debate over the necessity of it:

The proposed Susquehanna-Roseland power line would allow for new, higher towers to carry more voltage along an existing tower route through Warren, Sussex, Morris and Essex counties.
PSE&G contends the transmission line is needed to maintain reliability of the regional electricity grid. But opponents say it would harm the state's environment to help provide power in other regions and profits for the company.

Environmental groups say that if more power is necessary, there are better alternatives than 195 foot tall transmission towers. There's a pretty eye opening video at opposethetowers.com with local leaders talking about the potential impact of the project on their towns:

Among the many concerns they list are a decrease in property values of homes along the line route. The BPU commissioner will now have to decide if the Virginia information should get added to the public record. If the entire BPU board agrees, that would delay a final decision on the power line for an unknown period of time.

Jason Springer :: Proposed Power Line vote postponed by BPU

Tags: BPU, Susquehanna-Roseland power line, power, electricity, PSE&G, (All Tags)

Print Friendly View

Send As Email

Proposed Power Line vote postponed by BPU | 3 comments

Correction to lede (0.00 / 0)

Star-Ledger used wrong graphic, thus I think you stated location wrong - line runs from Hardwick to Roseland in NJ. The graphic is for the NEXT "upgrade" they intend to make - Branchburg to Jersey City! No matter, thanks for the coverage, Jason - this is still a terrible project based on greed and not need.

by: toaonua @ Sun Jan 10, 2010 at 01:33:53 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Thanks for pointing that out (0.00 / 0)

I'll make the change.

by: Jason Springer @ Sun Jan 10, 2010 at 02:11:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]