CARE Demonstrate Progressive Green Thinking
By: Brian Ross, Montville Resident & CARE Member
Providing more power to southern Geauga County industries does not need to ruin three northeastern Geauga County townships—Huntsburg, Montville and Thompson. Citizens Advocating Responsible Energy (CARE) is feverishly working to stop a poorly conceived high voltage transmission line project from permanently destroying and dissecting the rich agricultural history, natural wetlands and multi-generation family farms of eastern Geauga County. CARE feels like David facing Goliath, however, CARE is determined to prevail and will not rest until Goliath thinks green.
Last September, FirstEnergy filed an application for a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need with the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), the division of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio that oversees new energy facility projects. The application is posted on the OPSB website at www.opsb.ohio.gov and copies were served to local officials.
Even before that fateful day, citizens from Huntsburg, Montville and Thompson assembled early in 2007 to work on the following issues:
- Preserve and conserve countryside;
- Oppose construction of new utility corridors for transmission lines;
- Advocate the use of pre-existing civil corridors for new transmission lines;
- Create a common, unified voice through which citizens can communicate with FirstEnergy, the Ohio Power Siting Board and elected officials.
In the application for the new high voltage transmission lines, FirstEnergy describes two proposed routes. Each route consists of a 60 foot wide clear cut corridor through and over everything in its path. The preferred route is an over-land route near Ohio 528 that bisects prime agricultural land, outdoor sports areas, pristine wetlands and forests. The alternate route follows Clay Street, plowing through the front yards or requiring demolition of beautiful residential properties. Either route would create a brand new corridor which makes them unacceptable since they would cause irreparable damage to properties, farms and the community.
The proposed Geauga County 138kV Transmission Line Supply Project would be detrimental to agriculture, which the Willoughby News Herald reported is the number one industry in the county. CARE will point out in testimony to the Ohio Power Siting Board that the project penalizes the county’s primary industry (and the only growing industry) which supports other subordinate industries.
CARE is providing alternatives to the existing plan that proposes the use of pre-existing corridors as sites for a proposed new transmission line. CARE is definitely not “anti-industry.” Improving the electrical utility infrastructure in Geauga County benefits everyone, and it is important in attracting and keeping high quality businesses in the south and southwest parts of the county. Fortunately, there are pre-existing civil corridors in place right now that can host a new transmission line.
CARE has contacted many local businesses in the area to create awareness of the devastating negative impact that the proposed project by FirstEnergy would have on Geauga County. CARE is working tirelessly to educate citizens, elected officials and business owners on the benefits of supporting a green alternative to a very brown plan. CARE believes a win-win solution is achievable. Industries in the south can have the power they need and the countryside of the north can stay green.
For updates on this issue and upcoming CARE events visit www.caregeauga.org. For more information, contact Jim Galm, CARE President at (216) 346-0782; jgalm@caregeauga.org.