The AEP Falling Branch-Merrimac Transmission Reinforcement Project is in need of public input. They've got a big long name to say that they need to add overhead electric lines through portions of Blacksburg, Montgomery County and Christiansburg. My question is … why can't these be buried? They're burying everything else these days. Here's the text of the email I received:
Appalachian Power announced a $15 million upgrade in the electric infrastructure that serves parts of Montgomery County, the Town of Blacksburg and the Town of Christiansburg. The company is in the initial study phase of the project which involves construction of approximately eight miles of electric transmission line and is seeking public input into the siting process before pursuing approval to construct the new line. The project scope is focused on the south end of Blacksburg in the vicinity of the Montgomery Regional Hospital and continues through Montgomery County and the Town of Christiansburg.
The new facilities will be constructed on single pole structures with an average height of 100 feet tall and be built on a 100 foot-wide right of way. The company has identified preliminary proposed corridors for review. The public can provide comments on the preliminary study corridors and suggest alternative routing options at Appalachian PowerΒs website, which is linked below and at a public workshop 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at Christiansburg High School, 100 Independence Blvd., Christiansburg, Va., 24073. The public comment period continues through July 18.
Customers can find more information about the Falling Branch-Merrimac Transmission Reinforcement Project, including maps and photos of similar facilities to those proposed, or provide comments on the project at the Appalachian Power website.
Once, I was bemoaning all of the legal and ethical problems the President at the time had gotten himself into, and how it reflected on our society. My wife looked at me very sternly and asked "did you vote?". She knew the answer; she knew I hadn't, and she said I had no room to complain. I learned a lesson that day – whether I want power lines or don't want power lines, I can't complain without having my voice heard. Here's our chance to have our voices heard.
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I figured there was a good reason why those sized lines couldn’t be buried, but didn’t know the facts. One reader wrote me and said that they’ve already started setting poles in her area, and that she’s in the “proposed” alley. Wonder what that’s all about …
I have a friend who wanted to fix the problem, and he did just what you suggested – off the grid. Reduced his carbon footprint exponentially … me, I like my gadgets :/
I figured there was a good reason why those sized lines couldn’t be buried, but didn’t know the facts. One reader wrote me and said that they’ve already started setting poles in her area, and that she’s in the “proposed” alley. Wonder what that’s all about …
I have a friend who wanted to fix the problem, and he did just what you suggested – off the grid. Reduced his carbon footprint exponentially … me, I like my gadgets :/
There are engineering reasons why transmission lines can’t be buried. Smaller distribution lines can be placed undergroung — I’m no engineer and don’t know why. I would point out, too, that growth and consumption continue to grow. Think about how many gadgets you have that use electricity — televisions, cell phones, laptops, desktops, cordless phones, coffee machines, ovens,etc.. Want to fix the problem, get off the grid. π
There are engineering reasons why transmission lines can’t be buried. Smaller distribution lines can be placed undergroung — I’m no engineer and don’t know why. I would point out, too, that growth and consumption continue to grow. Think about how many gadgets you have that use electricity — televisions, cell phones, laptops, desktops, cordless phones, coffee machines, ovens,etc.. Want to fix the problem, get off the grid. π