Dear ,

I am writing you seeking your assistance in opposing PPL and its partner PSE&G’s proposed plan to build a 100-mile, 500,000-volt line through parts of Northampton and Lehigh counties.  As a resident of Northampton County specifically, my home stands to be directly impacted by this proposed transmission line, which would be alarming enough were it not for the stark implications of the negative impacts to local tax revenues via lower property values, the dramatic environmental impacts to the region, unknown health risks, potential watershed contamination, and the unprecedented implications of empowering a private entity to seize private property utilizing Federal powers of eminent domain.  The last being particularly troubling since Pennsylvania prides itself on being a Commonwealth state.

The project has been proposed on the premise of “need” with PPL contending a transmission line through this region must be built to meet the Northeast US's rapidly growing demand for electricity.  The “need” is actually a desire by PPL, a private corporation, to maximize profits by taking advantage of a poor decision by the Department of Energy that favors the profit of a large company over the well-being of Pennsylvania’s residents and favors coal and nuclear power over clean alternatives. 

Unfortunately, the impact of this proposal is already being felt.  With the prospect of transmission towers averaging over 125-feet tall, placed 1,000 feet apart, bisecting our community, this area has become galvanized in our opposition.  This opposition has grown out of concern regarding compromised property values and quality of life, decimated historic and environmentally sensitive areas and potential for undermining the economic viability of an area struggling to keep its rural roots and provide for its citizens. 

I encourage you to support resolutions that will oppose these power lines from entering Northampton County.  These resolutions would not be the posturing of a few concerned citizens, rather the beginning of a large-scale movement to stand firm against the PPL proposal.  For this reason, I ask for your support in opposing this line.  I respectfully request a response to this query.

Respectfully,