🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Nov10.161536.26788@dale.ksc.nasa.gov>, lrobbins@dale.ksc.nasa.gov (Lloyd Robbins) writes:
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> No legal action has been started to take the easement property yet,
> but we know it is coming.  The homeowner's assocation had a meeting
> last night.  We are starting petitions, phone and letter campaigns.  We
> are contacting all of our elected officials and the local papers.
> 
> My question is, has anyone else gone through this?  Does anyone have 
> any experience in stopping the power company juggernaut from
> destroying property values?  What current sources of information is
> available on the effects of EMF?  Has there been any recent rulings on
> things of this nature that we could use for ammunition?

We didn't have power lines coming in but we did get the power company to move a
substation 1/2 mile from a residential area to an unused property.  If you are
serious about this matter (and it sounds like you are) then get ready for a
battle.  You've already taken the right steps by organizing and calling your
officials.  A trick that seemed to work for us was whenever the town, county,
or state boards would meet to make a decision about the placement of the
substation we would call our local television stations.  Officials tend to take
time and consider the ENTIRE issue when the cameras are rolling.  Also be
prepared to provide the power company with alternate plans.  That was one of
the big pluses for our fight for the moving of the substation.  The local
planning commission was very impressed when we offered well thought out
alternatives and showed the pros and cons for each.  When looking at the
alternatives, see which one has the minimum environmental impact.  This was a
big issue in our fight.

In my opinion, the EMF issue was never considered during our fight.  The power
company and the planning commision both went by the current EPA report which
was inconclusive.  They pretty much said it's business as usual until the EPA
says differently.

Above all, don't get discouraged.  It's easy to just let it go and accept what
is happening.  Two years ago when we started our fight we were told by members
of our town board and the power company that we had no chance of moving the
substation.  We didn't believe them and we did move the substation.  Remember
to keep your homeowners association organized and focused.  Don't be surprised
if you need to get signatures for more than one petition.  We had to get three
separate petitions.

I hope this helps.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Mike Vraniak, Software Engineer
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