Overhead power line supporters say that studies of EMF on health have been inconclusive. Studies of tobacco smoke were also inconclusive for decades before undeniable links to cancers and other serious health conditions were identified. The EPA and the EU have developed recommendations and regulations for limiting exposure to EMF, as have 29 forward-looking nations and several states in the US. They would not do that unless EMF was of serious concern.

Power line “M” runs in the same easement as 50 year old fuel pipelines to SeaTac. This easement goes thru dense residential developments. An accident when replacing the current H-poles with the proposed taller steel monopoles would be catastrophic.

The average $/sqft home value in Newcastle is higher because people paid more for homes with views of the Cascades and Mt. Rainier. The proposed taller monopoles and wires will destroy these views for more homes, which will drive down the values of those homes and also affect the average $/sqft. Declining home values are the beginning of community decline.

Assuming that PSE’s demand forecast for this area is realistic and not driven by other motives, I request that the increased capacity be met with community-friendly solutions rather than the 230kV (and even higher voltage later) overhead line which will destroy the quality of life and property values of Newcastle residents.

A. Roosme

There is a link to the maps in the April 1 City Council roundup, linked in this article. For ease, here is a link to the PSE route map: http://www.energizeeastside.com/interactive-map.

For this particular segment, as PSE currently constitutes it, it’s going to be Newcastle’s Route M, or Route L.