Concerned residents who would be affected by the proposed route researched alternatives and came to believe that burying the line, despite the added expense at installation and for maintenance, is the best choice for long-term financial, safety, and aesthetic reasons. They formed the Coalition for an Underground Alternative, LLC (CUA) to inform the public of the likely impacts on property and why they believe burying the line is the best alternative.
In October of 2007, ATC filed an application with the PSC for approval to construct a new 345 kV transmission line. ATC’s application is currently being reviewed. The following month, the PSC determined the application to be incomplete. The ATC submitted additional information and in May 2008, the PSC declared the application to be incomplete for a second time.
Public outreach meetings were held in February and March, 2008, to provide the public with information and to help determine the scope of the PSC’s environmental impact statement (EIS). When the draft EIS is available, you will be able to read it at the PSC's website. After publication of the draft EIS, there will be a 45-day period for public comments. The PSC will then finalize the EIS.
The PSC will hold technical and public hearings on the project at least 30 days after the release of the final EIS. At least 30 days before the hearings, the PSC will mail a notice of the hearing to everyone on the project mailing list and notify the local news media. If approved, ATC would place the line in service in 2013.
CUA has filed as an intervenor for this application and is currently raising awareness and money to defend the case for an underground alternative in court.
Feasibility Trends
ATC’s original response to burying the line was that it was not technically possible.
However, for years 345 kV lines have been buried in many parts of Europe and Asia, and numerous American communities, including Chicago, Boston, and Detroit. Small communities in Virginia and Connecticut have recently chosen to bury lines.
While ATC now states that placing the transmission line underground is technically feasible, ATC claims it is too expensive to install and maintain.
Aesthetics
Along the heavily traveled Beltline, the 146 120-foot tall (13 story) towers will be placed approximately every 400 to 600 feet.
The unattractive towers would decrease future economic redevelopment on the Beltline.
What You Can Do
ATC primarily needs permission from the PSC to build the line. The PSC will hold hearings and a type of trial before making a decision.
If you prefer burying the line, make your views known by participating in the public hearing and evidentiary process. Your participation will create pressure both on the PSC and the ATC’s utility company owners and executives. The PSC is legally required to base its decisions about the project on the record of the hearing.
Post your opinion on the PSC website.
Contact politicians to state your position.
Come to the hearings to voice your opinion.
Sign up for e-mail news alerts.
Donate to CUA to help fund the spread of information and defend our solution in the legal processes.
This transmission line will impact you even if you are not located directly on the chosen route.
We believe that using overhead lines in this application may have wide-ranging economic, environmental, and social costs. Major issues related to overhead versus underground power lines include:
