Springfield bucks Undesirable Land Use

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Making a Stand for Our Land!

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In the News: 

Nockamixon Township wants answers on landfill http://bit.ly/aqNvl6
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Send PPL a Message:

Choose Direct Energy
as your supplier of energy instead of PPL

Direct Energy
1-888-734-0741
www.directenergy.com
Fixed price: 1 year term

And SAVE money:

   Price for the first 3 months 8.99 ˘
   Monthly Generation & Transmission
   500 kWh 1000 kWh 2000 kWh
   $44.95 | $89.90 | $179.80

   Price for the next 9 months 9.49 ˘
   500 kWh 1000 kWh 2000 kWh
   $47.45 | $94.90 | $189.80

Compare with PPL - 10.55 ˘
Monthly Generation & Transmission
500 kWh 1000 kWh 2000 kWh
$52.75 | $105.50 | $211.00

Source: oca.state.pa.us PDF
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PPL starts construction at transmission substation - before Commonwealth appeal decision

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Springfield Township issues stop order - Bucks County Herald PDF

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December 2009: Springfield issues notice of violation to PPL PDF

Comment: PPL arrogance continues ... building of substation prior to Commonwealth decision in the appeal process, and apparently without obtaining local permits. 

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Springfield Township will 
Appeal PUC's Decision! pdf 



PPL policy: indifferent to preservation of streams, contiguous wildlife habitat, and
un-developed open space

The Community's Opposition 
to PPL's preferred transmission line route is dismissed by Governor-appointed PUC 

McCall | PUC | wfmz.com | Intelligencer

  

Comment on PUC decision:

The disturbing ruling by the PUC shows that environmental protection is not a priority of the Governor of this State, and that the community voice (66% of registered voters opposing) does not matter 

- that there is no such thing as self- determination; that local communities, even when backed by their elected representatives and when the many environmental concerns are validated by independent experts, cannot decide how to best use its land. 

We question the qualifications of the commissioners, appointed by the Governor and predominantly having business backgrounds, to make environmental decisions, which in this case will cause significant and irreversible damage to the headwaters of the Tohickon River in Springfield Township.

~ Karl Schwartz (vice-Chair, sbULU.org)

How to Help:  Contact Governor Rendell!
Phone: 717-787-2500 | Fax: 717-772-9012 | Webmail
If you signed the petition, you might say: 

 I signed the petition to oppose PPL preferred HV line path
 in our Township.  
 

Worth Fighting for!

Key Documents in PUC 
Evidentiary Hearings:

 DEP letter

Township's Brief  PDF
 Environmental exhibit PDF

  Expert testimony: 
Ann F. Rhoads (Biologist/Botanist) 
C. Bob Wynn  (Professional Engineer)  Mark Gallagher (Environmental) | Peter Lanzalotta (Electrical Engineering)

Public Hearing Testimonies
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Scott Douglas 
PDF Slides | Narrative
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Joe Franlin
PDF Testimony
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Judy Franlin
PDF Testimony
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Karl Schwartz
PDF Testimony 7-14-08
PDF Testimony 7-17-08

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TIMELINE: PPL's Rush to "judgment"

August 2006:  PPL begins to acquire ROW (Rights of Way)[1]

Concerns: Land acquisitions were done ahead of public discussion, completion of all impact studies, or PUC approval.

November 2006:  PPL purchased 85-acre Hickon Road substation site [2]

Concerns: This is a rural location and known flood zone; impact studies have not yet done; permits not yet obtained; PPL has excluded other available sites (commercial in character) without seeking public input.  PPL specifies that all alternative HV routes must link to this site.

November 2006: PPL submits cost analysis. [3]

Concerns: We question the accuracy of PPL’s analysis based on the time it took to produce it; and the objectivity of the analysis, based on prior land and ROW acquisition  – particularly as it relates to costs compared to the alternative sites, as it lacks side-by-side comparisons with the alternative HV routes and substations sites. 

July 2007:  PPL's wildlife and plant survey completed.[4] 

Concerns:  Study done well after PPL's decision on preferred route, the acquisition of ROWs, and purchase of substation site. The timing of this survey shows PPL's low regard for environmental issues. Also, this survey does not compare impacts with the alternative routes, which experts describe as significant, including the DEP.

February 2008: Springfield Township Public Meeting with PPL

Concerns: Public notified after the fact, and given scant detail.[5] 

July 25, 2008: The Department of Environmental Protection has come out against the route PPL Corp. is seeking ... saying it is environmentally the worst of three paths the company considered.[6]  

NEW: See also DEP letter
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References:

[1] Recommended Decision, Judge Angela T. Jones, page 130
[2] Recommended Decision, Judge Angela T. Jones, page 9
[3] Recommended Decision, Judge Angela T. Jones, page 20
[4] July 30, 2007, PPL Exhibit: Wildlife And Plant
[5] Springfield Township Minutes: http://www.springfieldbucks.org pdf
[6] Allentown Morning Call, Yates, July 2008

 

 

Agenda: Our opposition to PPL's "preferred route"

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We recognize the need for an effective and economical means of providing energy.*

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We favor either alternative route for the placement of power lines, because each is less intrusive than tearing out a several mile long 100-foot swath through our Resource Protected Area.

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We oppose PPL's "preferred" Cross Country route because it crosses the most:
 
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woodlands,

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wetlands, 

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flood plains, 

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recreational land, 

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agricultural land, and 

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environmentally protected zoned land. 

See PDF Map comparing 3 routes           

We note that PPL's "preferred" route unnecessarily diminishes the rural and historic character of Springfield and Richland townships, Buck County.

*NOTE: We recognize the need to meet demand for power.  We’re not opposed to PPL crossing Springfield Township.  ... The alternative Route 309 corridor also crosses Springfield Twp., but it already has roads, telephone lines, and a PPL easement.

 
 
Web inquiries Karl | Last modified: March 13, 2009 | Contact Us