PPL disputes artist’s vision of power lines

Saw Creek homeowners hired a graphic artist to illustrate the effects larger power lines will have on the scenery in their private Bushkill community. The result is a controversial before and after view.

PPL Electric Utilities is seeking permission to upgrade the current electric transmission lines as part of the Susquehanna-Roseland power line project.

“PPL has never provided any renderings to Saw Creek Estates Community Association that demonstrated a finished view of what the Susquehanna-Roseland line will look like when it is finished,” said Saw Creek homeowner Al Spinelli. “The closest they have come is to provide a small schematic drawing of one new tower overlaid over an old tower. So therefore, we have taken it on ourselves to image what this might look like. I must be clear here and state that this is an artist representation of what the Susquehanna-Roseland power line will look like as it runs through Saw Creek Estates.”

The original photo overlooks the Saw Creek VIP pool area and the ridge above PPL’s current power line.

“I don’t know how they could create an accurate picture. The final design of the power line is not complete,” PPL spokesman Paul Wirth said.

Height and placement of poles have not been determined, although stakes mark plots where bore samplings will be taken. PPL has not decided which poles will need one-, two- or three-pronged bases. Wirth says most will be single pole.

After looking at the Saw Creek art work, Wirth had the following response:

“The rendering is inaccurate and misleading. The existing towers in Saw Creek are 85 feet high. On our preliminary design, the first wire on the new poles counting up from the ground) will be on average 85 feet off the ground. So for the rendering to be accurate, the poles would have to be shorter, so that the first wire is hidden by the trees. The rendering overstates the height of the new poles.”

Spinelli challenges PPL to make another photograph. “Saw Creek Estates welcomes PPL electric utilities to publish and provide the public with an exact rendering of what the line will look like when finished! in fact, I’ll do you one better — we demand it!”

By Beth Brelje