The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area today issued a statement "debunking myths" about its role in reviewing a plan for a new Susquehanna-Roseland power line proposed through the federal park that forms part of the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border. The $750 million power project proposed by PSE&G was scheduled for completion by 2012 but will not be done until...
View of PSE&G's North Jersey Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line in Montville.The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area today issued a statement "debunking myths" about its role in reviewing a plan for a new Susquehanna-Roseland power line proposed through the federal park that forms part of the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border.
The $750 million power project proposed by PSE&G was scheduled for completion by 2012 but will not be done until 2015, the utility said last month. The company says the line is needed to prevent service interruptions in the region.
The proposed route would use an existing right-of-way, along a path that already has a smaller power line crossing the Water Gap park and over the Delaware River.
As part of its review two weeks ago, the park issued a report proposing possible alternative routes, including ones outside of the 40-mile-long park.
In response, PPL Electric Utilities, which would construct the Pennsylvania section of the line, sent letters to Pennsylvania residents alerting them about the park’s proposals for other routes that "would create significant additional impacts to people and the environment in the region. ... several of the park service alternatives, if chosen by the National Park Service, would force PPL Electric Utilities to consider building the line on all or part of" a route that was rejected by the utility.
The park characterized that PPL information, which also is posted on PPL’s website, as "myths and misinformation."
The park statement said it does not select the route for the power line, and cannot direct the utilities about which route to choose. Rather, because the route preferred by the utility would travel through the park, it is mandated to review it and "analyze routes outside the DWGNRA," the statement said.
PPL spokesman Paul Wirth disagreed, saying, "They could give us a permit to cross National Park Service lands or not, so they really do have a big say in where we cross" the Delaware river.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey public utility agencies have given approvals for the power line, and a National Park Service permit would be the final major permit needed, Wirth said.
The debate comes in advance of three public hearings next week on the park’s review and alternatives. Those hearings will be Tuesday at the Fernwood Resort in Bushkill, Pa.; Wednesday at Stroudsmoor Country Inn in Stroudsburg, Pa., and Thursday, Aug. 19, at the Farmstead Golf & Country Club in Lafayette, N.J. At each location, an open house will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a public hearing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.