Latest Power Line News
ATTENTION- Important News!!!
02-18-2010
US Senator Bob Casey Comes To Saw Creek!!
On Thursday, February 18th 2010, US Senator Robert Casey JR. visited Saw Creek Estates and saw for himself what could happen if PPL is allowed to build the Susquehana-Roseland power line through our community. He was given a tour of some of the affected areas along the right-of-way where PPL plans to build the power line, as well as some of our amenities that will be affected by the proposed towers and power line. He showed great concern and commented "that you really have to see it with your own eyes to understand what this project could do to our community". BOD member Al Spinelli and former BOD President Pete Derrenbacher hosted the Senator and gave him not only a tour of our community, but also spent a few minutes back at Member Services with the Senator showing him maps of our community and artist renderings of the project as it will look if allowed to be completed. Senator Casey agreed to look anew at the project and see what he could do to help us find a solution to the problem PPL's power line presents for our community.
Saw Creek Estates has a friend in Senator Robert Casey, and we thank him for his continued support on this issue.
Click Here To See Photos Of His Visit-
02-17-2010
On Friday February 12th, 2010 the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commisssion issued their final written decision on PPL's application to build the Susquehanna-Roseland power line. Unfortunately the PUC has granted PPL's application and is allowing the power line to be built in North East Pennsylvania.
This decision has been met with universal condemnation and is slated to be appealed in Commonwealth Court within the next few weeks by all the parties ( including Saw Creek Estates) involved in fighting this line. However, in this decision, there was a huge win for Saw Creek Estates.
The PUC agreed with our legal team on the idea that, in order to not predjudice the Nation Park Service's decision as to whether they will allow the power line to be built through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, PPL should not be allowed to build our section of the power line ( Wallenpaupak-Bushkill Segment) until the NPS grants or denies PPL's permit application. The Environmental Impact Study that the federal government requires before it decides on PPL's application is unbelievably extensive, requiring numerous studies on how the construction and operation of the power-line will affect the environment of the park. The park is stating that it will take somwhere between two to three years to complete. So simply put, as it stands now- PPL CANNOT START CONSTRUCTION IN SAW CREEK FOR AT LEAST TWO-THREE YEARS!!!! And if the park says no to PPL after the study is over, then PPL might not build in here at all!!
To that end, Saw Creek Estates legal team will be intervening in the National Park Services Environmentlal Impact Study ( EIS )to insure that the NPS takes into account the devastating effects of this power-line on not only the environment in the DWGNRA, but also here in Saw Creek Estates. We can do this because the NPS has expanded the scope of the EIS to include the area in and around Saw Creek Estates!!
Oh, and one other bit of great news... As part of the " Scoping " process involved in developing the EIS, the NPS has once again put alternate routes back on the table. This means that the line could be re-routed in the DWGNRA, or be forced to go back to either route "A"or route"C"!! Another alternative that is being looked at is a "No Build" alternative!!!!
THIS FIGHT IS NOT OVER.... NOT BY A LONG SHOT!
Stay Involved.....and Stay Tuned!!!
07/09/09
Important meeting coming up on PPL Power Line Issue!
On Saturday, July 18th, 2009, during Saw Creek's annual membership meeting at the TOW tennis courts, members of Saw Creek's Board of Directors and Power Line committee will be giving a full update to the community on our continuing fight against PPL's attempt to run the Susquehanna-Roseland 500KV power line through our community. If you live in Saw Creek, it is imperative that you try to attend this meeting!!!! Meeting starts at 10:00 AM... Be There!!!
03/01/09
Finally our day in court has arrived. On Friday, March 20th 2009, the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission ( PUC ) will be conducting public hearings in Saw Creek Estates to give the residents of Saw Creek (or any citizen of PA over the age of 18) a chance to comment on PPL’s proposed Susquehanna-Roseland 500 Kilo Volt Power Line. This hearing is open to anyone who would like to attend, and it is suggested that all residents of Saw Creek try to be there! We need to show PPL and the PUC that the residents of Saw Creek Estates are united in our opposition to this power line and the terrible effect it will have on our community!
The PUC has scheduled two hearings (1:00PM and 7:00PM), and you don’t have to speak to attend! However, if you do have something to say, all you have to do in order to speak at one of the hearings is sign up as you enter the building! We are expecting a large turnout for these hearings (especially the hearing @ 7:00PM), so those that can attend the 1:00PM hearing should do so. Also, as parking may be limited (due again to the large turnout expected), please try to carpool wherever possible.
Fellow residents, now is the time to act. As you already know, the damage to our community wrought by the building of this power line will be catastrophic. As of the printing of this flyer, there are no further public hearings scheduled by the PUC related to the building of this power line. This may be our last chance to convince the State of Pennsylvania that Saw Creek Estates wants no part of this project! Let PPL find another way to ship electricity to New Jersey! Only by
standing together can we protect what is ours.
01/06/09
PPL has applied to the Pennsylvania Public Utilites Commission for approval to build the Susquehanna-Roseland Power Line! PPL filed the application on January 6th, 2009 and is hoping for approval as soon as possible. While the review process can take up to a year, they have requested that the PUC approve rebuilding of the section of power line that runs through Saw Creek Estates as soon as possible. In other words- THEY WANT TO MAKE US THE FIRST TARGET OF THIS UPGRADE!! They are doing this as a direct response to the resistance that we, as a community, have shown to their plans!! They figure that if they get us out of the picture quickly, approval for the rest of the line will go easier. Details of their application can be found here-http://www.pplreliablepower.com/projectupdates.htm
CALL, WRITE, or EMAIL the legistlators and agencys we have listed on this document. Let them know that Saw Creek Estates does not want this project!!
The PUC hearings are coming! If you want this project stopped, get ready to attend these hearing and let your voice be heard!!
Ad Hoc Power Line Committee Moves Meetings-
11-25-08
Saw Creek Estates ad-hoc power line committee will meet the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM at the Top of the World complex in the Mountain Room. These meetings are open to all members of Saw Creek Estates community association. Stopping into one of these meetings is a great way to stay informed on the issues related to PPL's planned power line upgrade in Saw Creek Estates. So come on up to the T.O.W. and lend a helping hand to the fight!
Great Turnout At Fernwood on November 19th!!
11-20-08
Saw Creek Estates sent a firm message to PPL on Wednesday, November 19th when close to 200 concerned residents showed up at PPL's open house at Fernwood Resort. The questions, outrage, and " Stop The Towers" buttons were really flying at PPL representatives from beginning to end, and I think PPL finally got the message that Saw Creek Estates is not going to take this affront to our quality of life, environment, and home values lying down! Saw Creek Estates Power Line committee ( especially those who braved cold nights to hand out flyers advertising the Fernwood event) should be commended for "a Job Well Done"!
S.C.E.C.A Retains Well Known Environmental Law Firm
11-14-08
On Saturday, November 8th, Saw Creek Estates Board Of Directors voted in executive session to retain the legal services of Richard J. Lippes of Richard J. Lippes and Associates of Buffalo, New York. Lippes and Associates are nationally recognized for successful legal advocacy of plaintiffs in high profile and historic environmental and preservation cases, such as Love Canal and Three Mile Island. Lippes and Associates will counsel Saw Creek Estates Community Association on it's options as they relate to PPL's planned power line upgrade within Saw Creek Estates.
PPL Line "B" Open House- Wednesday November 19th 6-8PM at Fernwood Resort
11-9-08
Attention: Saw Creek Residents!
There is a PPL open house at Fernwood Resorts Event Center on Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 from 6-8PM.
All Saw Creek Residents should try to attend and let PPL know what you think about this project!!! You can find morevinfo here-PPL Information
Press Event Scheduled-
11-5-08
Saw Creek Estates Community Association will be holding a press event on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 to update and inform local as well as national print/broadcast media (and our residents) about recent steps that have been taken in our fight against PPL's planned Susquehanna-Roseland Power line upgrade