LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There are new developments on Monday in an ongoing controversy involving a proposed PPL powerline project in Luzerne County.
A county councilman says he will introduce a resolution calling for PPL to halt plans for the new transmission line until residents can be assured that the power line will not impact their quality of life.
PPL has proposed the high voltage line to run from the Talen Nuclear power plant through several communities, including Sugarloaf and Black Creek townships, to connect to its power grid near Hazleton.
The power would be used, in part, to feed new data centers around Pennsylvania.
Residents are protesting the project, saying their lives will be disrupted and fearing potential health impacts.
The line in question would cut across a big chunk of southern Luzerne County and many residents say it would destroy their quality of life.
28/22 News first told you about the controversy in April.
A Luzerne County councilman is urging PPL to halt the power line project, at least for now, until the concerns of residents can be addressed.
The proposed PPL power transmission line would extend some 12 miles from the Berwick area through the Sugarloaf Valley and into the Hazleton area.
PPL plans on using an existing right of way, where transmission lines already exit, but Luzerne County Councilman Harry Haas wants it paused, and will introduce a resolution to the entire council.
"I would like to encourage ppl to team up with the community and develop a plan that would benefit everybody. That would help build capacity that they're going to desperately need with the age of AI, but at the same time, preserve the quality of life of our people, Haas said.
Residents formed a group called 'The Alliance to Stop the Line" to fight the project.
John Zola from Sugarloaf is spearheading the opposition.
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"We are trying to amicably convince or make an argument with PPL to do an alternative route with the line because the one that they're proposing, their preferred route, is really, really negatively affecting people's lives in a really bad way," Zola expressed.
A PPL spokesperson sent the I-Team this statement:
"With every transmission project, we conduct studies and analyses to determine the best possible solution to meet the demand for electricity while having the least possible impact on the natural environment and surrounding communities.
In this case, the proposed route, which uses an already existing transmission corridor, was determined to be the route that would have the least cumulative impact on the natural environment and surrounding communities."
PPL spokesperson Alana Roberts
The Public Utility Commission has to approve PPL's plan.
Those interested in learning more about the project can visit their website.
