DALMATIA — Nine property owners are celebrating the state Public Utility Commission’s rejection of PPL Electric Utilities’ plan to string nearly 12 miles of power lines over scenic farmland in Northumberland, Snyder and Juniata counties.
“This is huge,” said an ebullient Roy Maurer, a Dalmatia farmer who spent $50,000 to fight the utility. “It’s a rare thing to win a case against such a well-funded corporation. But our group of farmers got together and did just that.”
Two PUC administrative law judges, David A. Salapa and Joel H. Cheskis, ultimately made the decision, Maurer said.
PPL had requested to the PUC that it wanted to exercise eminent domain over several properties for a proposed Dalmatia to Richfield 69-kilovolt transmission line project.
“They said in a hearing it was necessary,” Maurer said. “But PPL hadn’t done any repair work on our lines for 15 years, and now they came along and said they (were) needed for the service, accommodation, convenience or safety of the public? I think the judges, who had a year to study the request, saw through that argument — and denied it.”
In the 44-page decision, Salapa and Cheskis wrote: “Need” was not proven, therefore “We recommend ... that PPL’s application be rejected.”
The judges said that it was not necessary to address the route because PPL had not proven need for the project.
PPL plans to contest the judges’ recommendation, Maurer said.
“I’ll probably have to pay to have our lawyers make further arguments and fight PPL again,” he said. “They have a lot of money. And I’ve spent a lot of money on this, and I don’t think I’ll recover any of it, even if we ultimately prevail. But this is not just about me.
“All of the landowners involved here have spent money and time fighting this. But I couldn’t live with myself if I hadn’t done everything I could to stop PPL’s plans for the land. For generations, our ancestors were protectors of their rural farmland and we can do no less.”
After the recommendations went public, Maurer said: “We thank the judges for listening to the community and property owners in this case of eminent domain. We had a lot of community support and encouragement throughout the pats few years. We couldn’t have survived without them.”
Responses to the recommendation are due in writing to the PUC no later than Monday at the PUC, said a PUC spokesman.
Replies to the written responses are due no later than Jan. 24.
Meanwhile, PPL is still urging the PUC to approve its application because, the company says, the project is needed to improve electrical service.
A final ruling will be made this year.
But, even then, the PUC decision can be appealed to the state Commonwealth Court.
Line Mountain Region
Dalmatia area landowners win land dispute
3-county power line idea nixed
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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Shamrock Road near Paxinos
PAXINOS — A PennDOT bridge crew in Northumberland County is scheduled to complete a deck preservation project at a bridge in Shamokin Township on June 4, weather permitting.
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Youths prepare for trout release
MILLERSBURG — For the second year, the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art will help students complete their journey learning about the life cycle of trout.
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Sixth graders at Line Mountain perform play on Responsibility
From left, Riley Kieffer, Tash Schadel, the sports commentators; Ronee Teitter, coach, and Marissa Campbell, competitor in the Excuse Olympics.
TREVORTON — The Line Mountain elementary schools studied the Character Goal Responsibility as part of the Responsive Classroom initiative.
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Music and wine festival scheduled for June 1
GRATZ — The Gratz Fair Association’s second annual music and wine festival is scheduled for June 1 at the Gratz Fairgrounds. The event, from noon to 6, will benefit the fair’s competitive exhibits program.
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Vets to bring 'Moving Wall' to region in May
COAL TOWNSHIP — Vietnam veteran Sol Bidding made a vow to his fallen war comrades: “I would not forget my brothers and sisters, and I would not let my nation forget them.”
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'Sweet Arrival of Spring' event arrives Friday night
MILLERSBURG - The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art will host “Sweet Arrival of Spring” fundraiser at 7 p.m. April 26 in the Center’s galleries, 176 Water Company Road.
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Rededication service set
HICKORY CORNERS — The Fort Halifax Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, will hold a memorial and rededication service at 10 a.m. May 11 at Zions Stone Valley Cemetery, Hickory Corners.
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World War II memorial not forgotten in Herndon
The Herndon World War II Memorial.
HERNDON — Among “road closed” signs and traffic barriers in the borough maintenance building, the 8-foot-by-8-foot Herndon World War II memorial board stands, waiting for a new home.
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Ann Walshaw hopes that home is found sooner than later. -
Young American: William C. Grove
William Grove
Young Americans for April have been announced by the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.
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Olympic gold medalist coming to Keystone Shooting Park
United States of America's Vincent Hancock celebrates after receiving the gold medal in the men's skeet event, at the 2012 Summer Olympics last summer in London.
Olympic gold medalist Vincent Hancock will host a meet and greet at 7 p.m. on April 25 at the Keystone Shooting Park as part of KSP's Open House.
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Scheeres to discuss "Untold Story of Peoples Temple"
Journalist Julia Scheeres will give the talk, "Narrating Jonestown and the Peoples Temple," Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in the Forum of the Elaine Langone Center at Bucknell University.
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Public invited to mountaintop Easter service on Saturday
PAXINOS — The public is invited to attend the annual Easter service at the “Old Rugged Cross” on the mountaintop overlooking Route 61 at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Shamrock Road near Paxinos
