FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 8, 2008

 

CONTACT:

Liz Ferry

Phone: 215-368-1500

 

 

SENATOR WONDERLING FILES WITH PUC AS INTERVENER IN PPL BUCKS COUNTY TRANSMISSION LINE PLAN

 

Today, Pennsylvania Senator Robert C. Wonderling (R-24th), in his official capacity as a duly elected member of the Pennsylvania Senate, filed an Application for Leave to Intervene pursuant to, but not necessarily limited to, 52 Pa. Code §§ 5.71 – 5.74. Senator Wonderling filed with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in opposition to the request of PPL Electric Utilities Corporation to site a new high voltage electric transmission line in Upper Saucon Township Lehigh County, and Springfield and Richland Townships, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

 

It is the intention of Senator Wonderling to participate fully in these proceedings to critically evaluate the evidentiary support for the proposed siting of the transmission line and to explore alternatives that would avoid its current proposed construction site.  The twenty-fourth (24th) Senatorial District would be uniquely impacted by the siting of a new electric transmission line as the location of the line, as currently proposed, would traverse a significant geographical portion of the district that Senator Wonderling represents.

 

“As a public official, I am bound, by duty and a sense of purpose, to be a steward of our natural environment.  Yet, as more families move into the Upper Bucks portion of my district, I recognize there is an increase in demand for more electricity. As such, I believe we must strike the proper balance between the needs of society and the needs of nature. While I am not opposed to new transmission lines within the 24th Senatorial district, I believe existing rights of way should be utilized for a transmission line siting route instead of the currently proposed siting route”, said Senator Wonderling.

 

In April, Senator Wonderling and Representative Paul Clymer sent a letter to the Public Utility Commission requesting the commission schedule Public Input Hearings at sites in both Richland and Springfield Townships in order to allow the residents impacted by the proposed transmission lines to provide testimony.

 

An Initial Prehearing Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 10:00 in Harrisburg.