...our government is behind the total destruction of this once great nation...not ONLY destroying our environment but also destroying our health,taking away our rights and freedoms and bankrupting us financially,morally and spiritually...when are you going to wake up?... Press Release from Save The Ozarks: Administrative Law Judge ruling in favor of SWEPCO plan shocks and disappoints thousands of Northwest Arkansas citizens Eureka Springs, AR -- Thousands of northwest Arkansas business people and citizens were disappointed yesterday when Connie Griffin, Administrative Law Judge for the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC), gave her approval to a plan to run a massive power transmission line through the heart of the Ozark Highlands. Southwestern Electric Power (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP), plans to construct and operate a 345 kilovolt transmission line from SWEPCOs Shipe Road Substation in western Benton County, Arkansas, to the proposed Kings River Substation east of Eureka Springs in Carroll County, Arkansas. Pat Costner, Director of Save The Ozarks (STO), the volunteer citizens group opposed SWEPCOs plan, said, We are taking all steps necessary to challenge the Administrative Law Judges ruling before the Commission. If needed, we will appeal any adverse Commission decision in court. Mick Harrison, STOs lead attorney, said, With all due respect, the Administrative Law Judges ruling is both factually and legally incorrect. While Griffins ruling came as a shock to the thousands of people across northwest Arkansas opposing the plan, the biggest surprise may be the route she chose for the line. It is Route 109, the northernmost of the three routes under consideration. Route 109 runs from western Benton County, Arkansas, up into Missouri, where it traverses the southern edges of Barry and McDonald Counties, before going south into Carroll County, Arkansas. The entire transmission line project has drawn heated, virtually unanimous opposition in Carroll County, where residents oppose all proposed routes, including Route 109. Objections include the seizure of private property by eminent domain proceedings, dramatic reductions in property values, financial losses for the many businesses that depend directly on tourism, and degradation of the unique environment that underpins the areas quality of life. In contrast, very little concern has been evident in Missouri. This may be due to SWEPCOs failure to notify Missouri landowners that their property lies in the path of the transmission line right-of-way. SWEPCO has already admitted that obtaining permission for the project from the Missouri Public Service Commission could be especially challenging since the utility company has no license to operate in Missouri and since there will be little, if any, benefit for Missourians.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 21:55:47 +0000
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