Press Release

PUC Schedules Additional September Public Input Hearings for Transource Transmission Line Case in Franklin and York Counties

Published on 7/30/2018

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled four additional public input hearings to gather public input regarding electric transmission line applications and other related filings submitted by Transource Pennsylvania LLC (Transource) – to be held in mid-September in Franklin and York counties.

The hearings will be held at the following locations:

Franklin County Public Input Hearings
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
1:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
New Franklin Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall
3444 Wayne Rd.
Chambersburg, PA 17202           

York County Public Input Hearings
Thursday, September 20, 2018
1:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Airville Volunteer Fire Department
3576 Delta Rd.
Airville, PA 17302

PUC Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) Elizabeth H. Barnes and Andrew M. Calvelli will preside over the public input hearings, which were scheduled following new filings related to Transource applications involving transmission line construction projects in York and Franklin counties.

On May 15, 2018, Transource filed 133 Eminent Domain Applications pursuant to 15 Pa. C.S. Section 1511(c).  Forty were to acquire rights-of-way and easements across lands owned in York County and ninety-three applications were to acquire rights-of-way and easements across lands owned in Franklin County.  Also on May 15, 2018, Transource PA filed two zoning exemption shelter petitions regarding the proposed substations at Furnace Run, York County and Rice, Franklin County at Docket Nos. P-2018-3001883 and P-2018-3001878, respectively. 

The purpose of additional public input hearings is to provide those landowners affected by the eminent domain applications and those entities or persons opposed to the zoning exemption shelter petitions an opportunity to testify and submit exhibits regarding these additional applications and petitions (now consolidated to PUC Docket No. A-2017-2640195). 

The ALJ’s are offering landowners further due process. Some landowners who were served with eminent domain applications have not yet testified at a public input hearing and may not have received adequate notice to understand they could do so. Even those individuals testifying before, who may have been focused on different issues, will have another opportunity to testify as to an eminent domain application or shelter petition regarding their property rights. 

Earlier this summer, the PUC conducted eight public input hearings in the two impacted counties, which drew a total audience of nearly 1,000 concerned residents and more than 200 speakers. The ALJs encourage those who may be interested in testifying again to not duplicate testimony or evidence already in the record.
 

Offering Comment at a Hearing

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments. Their testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.

The PUC offer tips on how to participate, including:

• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.
• Bring copies if you are attending an in-person hearing.  If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge, please bring copies for the court reporter and other participants.
• Understand that parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.:   A-2017-2640195

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov