SUGARLOAF TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— There's controversy over a proposed project from PPL.
Those against the project say it would negatively impact home and landowners.
28/22's Joe Mason was in Sugarloaf Township to learn more.
Residents are still voicing their concerns over a proposed PPL power line project.
Back in April, we reported PPL's plans to build a 12-mile-long 500 kilovolt transmission line through the Sugarloaf Valley.
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The project would use an existing right of way corridor to boost energy for future business expansions.
"We look at all available corridors and we make decisions based on the route that would have the least amount of environmental and community impact," stated Dana Burns, Communications Director, PPL Electric Utilities.
"They're trying to use a century old right of way. So now they want to take more of the people's land away to accommodate this monstrosity," said John Zola, Alliance to Stop the Line.
John Zola and Dr. Andrew Sanko are members of the Alliance to Stop the Line and say they want the corporation to pause the proposal.
They believe the lines are going in to support Project Hazelnut, which would bring data centers to Humboldt North Industrial Park in Hazle Township, just south of Sugarloaf.
"500kv transmission lines. You know, that's an awful lot of electricity and these data centers need electricity to run. The connection between the 500kv lines that is being proposed by PPL, the lack of transparency by PPL and the data centers or the companies is disturbing," expressed Sanko.
I spoke with a PPL representative about this and if residents should be concerned.
"I don't have any specific information on specific customers, but what I can tell you is that the Greater Hazleton area's location, its infrastructure, its workforce and its communities are really attracting notice," said Burns.
Alliance to stop the line is holding a community meeting on Saturday, July 12 at 184 Red Rock Road in Sugarloaf at 10:00 a.m.
