Transource opponents say tariffs impact cost of power line
Opponents to the proposed high-voltage transmission lines in Franklin and York counties are questioning the value of the Transource project.
They say the projected savings from the Independence Energy Connection have fallen by more than half, even before figuring in the economic damage from recent tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Transource would erect more than 200 monopoles, each 13 stories tall, from Shippensburg to Ringgold, Md., and string 29 miles of transmission line. A similar line would run 16 miles through York County and Harford County, Md.
Citizens’ groups have challenged the economics behind the 230 kilo-volt project, and only recently have made their case outside the state agencies that are reviewing the project.
Citizens to Stop Transource in York County, Stop Transpource Power Lines MD in Harford County, Md., and Stop Transource Franklin County have written to regional grid manager PJM Interconnection. PJM originally justified the need for project and in August 2016 contracted with Transource to do the $320 million IEC.
“The merits of this project are dwindling, the costs of the project increasing, and the timeline is slipping,” said the June 30 letter signed by the presidents of the three citizens’ groups – Dolores Krick in York County, Aimee O’Neill in Harford County, Md., and Lori Rice in Franklin County.
Transource officials have said it is not their responsibility to defend the need for the project. PJM stated the need for the project and hired Transouce to find routes.
