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Citizens Against Kemptown Electric Substation C.A.K.E.S
TIME TO STAND UP AND FIGHT!
On Jul 26th, 2010, the Maryland Public Service Commission posted an order that rules that the PATH application is complete, that discovery commences with the issuance of this order, and that the matter is delegated to the hearing examiner’s division to set a schedule, set a date for intervention for persons who are not already parties, and hear the merits of the case. These hearings have been set for Sept. 15th and Sept. 29th. We need your support in attending these hearings. Click here for details on time and location.
What this means:
The process of determining whether or not the 765 thousand volt substation and the associated transmission lines get built in Maryland (in our neighborhoods) has truly begun. Much more info to follow. In short, the really hard battle begins now. WE NEED YOUR DONATIONS NOW MORE THAN EVER to help with our legal defense and expert witness expenses, click the DONATE button to the right to contribute.
About Us
We are Frederick County citizens determined to prevent the highest voltage electric substation ever built in the United States by Allegheny Energy. The 765kV capacity substation is part of Allegheny’s PATH project and is proposed to be built in the middle of our established Mount Airy/Monrovia neighborhoods. Over 1300 homes, a children’s center and 2 elementary schools are within close proximity to the proposed site of the massive, EMF radiating substation which may extend the length of 8 football fields. Allegheny Energy has not yet notified residents of the actual area or height of the proposed substation. Nor have they reported how many additional high voltage transmission towers will be built in our community. Also disconcerting is the fact that Allegheny Energy and PJM did not consider any other alternative location for what they call the “Kemptown Substation.”
Our peaceful community will be harmfully impacted by the construction of an electric substation of this magnitude. The health of our environment and the health of our families are at risk. An unprecedented, 765kV high voltage substation is a target for terrorism, sabotage, and vandalism. Disasters including fires and hazardous material leaks can occur at electric substations. The real estate values of our homes also are likely to suffer.
Citizens Against Kemptown Electric Substation is a grass-roots group working to eliminate the dangers posed to our community by the construction of Allegheny’s largest high voltage substation. We are not alone in our opposition and this is a battle worth fighting. From West Virginia through Virginia and Maryland citizen opposition groups have formed and have gained the support of numerous local, state and federal government officials of both political parties.
What Is PATH?
Allegheny Transmissions’ PATH is a proposed high voltage 765kV transmission line that would begin at a dirty coal-fired power plant in Amos, West Virginia. New high voltage power lines and towers would stretch across West Virginia and Virginia, then cross into Maryland through the scenic Sugarloaf area and Urbana. The lines and towers would require a 200-foot wide corridor to be cut through the land, farms, wetlands and forests of individual property owners. This segment of PATH would “end” with the so-called “Kemptown Substation” off of Bartholows Road in Mount Airy/Monrovia.
PATH will cost 2.1 Billion dollars and Allegheny Energy will get a return of 14.3% on every dollar spent on the project. All customers throughout the region will pay higher rates to pay for this line. 86% of the energy generated will supply New York, New Jersey, and other Northeastern states.
We believe that Frederick County will be burdened and harmfully impacted by Allegheny’s PATH even though none of the energy supplied will benefit Frederick County residents.
Can We Stop PATH?
Citizens Against the Kemptown Electric Substation (C.A.K.E.S.) want to tell you as Maryland voters how you can be most helpful and keep our message ‘that this massive substation is totally inappropriate in the middle of 1300 homes’ in front of our legislators. This is not only a Mt. Airy/Monrovia issue, but will affect all of Frederick County and all of Maryland! We believe we can win. We are encouraged by developments that support our position that present and future needs can be met without PATH:
- The Virginia Commission allowed Allegheny to withdraw their application for the PATH project. PATH acknowledged that the critical need for the project in 2014 does not exist.
- PEPCO has asked the PSC to suspend hearings for the MAPP project as a result of Allegheny’s request to withdraw their application in Virginia.
- Governor O’Malley joined nine other governors in a letter to Congressional leaders. In this letter they stated that bringing renewable or other types of power from outside the region would jeopardize the states’ efforts to develop local renewable resources.
- Governor O’Malley joined the Governors of Virginia and Delaware in agreeing on a tri-state partnership for the deployment of off shore wind energy.
- In December 2009, Governor O’Malley wrote a letter to the PSC requesting they use their authority to develop local sources for energy and not allow more outside power into our region.
If PATH is built, you will face substantial loss in your property value. There is no question that the loss of equity in the land and homes near PATH will be a large part of each home’s value, particularly in this difficult market. Estimates are that property values near the PATH line would decrease by 10% – 38%.
