JCPL Answers Questions from Cedar Village in Holmdel

Holmdel, NJ - According to an alert sent out by Holmdel Township, the Community of Cedar Village in Holmdel proposed questions to JCP&L regarding the Monmouth County Relability Project. Those questions and answers were made public Tuesday:

1. If project is approved, the residents have been informed that construction will be done during the night. Can construction be done during day?
JCP&L will work closely with New Jersey Transit (NJT) officials to minimize the impact to both the traveling public and adjacent property owners during construction. If NJT approves and some construction activity can be performed during the day, JCP&L will consider that option.
2. What will happen to the remains in the Hendricks Family cemetery that is adjacent to train
tracks and will be impacted by project?
The proposed project will be designed to span the Hendricks Family cemetery. Ground disturbance to the cemetery is not proposed.
3. Property values will decrease, and make homes “unsellable."
JCP&L is evaluating whether the MCRP could affect property values in Monmouth County and will provide an independent real estate expert’s report with our petition to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. As part of the analysis, the appraiser is conducting a review of studies completed on the potential impact to market values of properties adjacent to high voltage transmission lines.
4. There was a concern that in other areas residents were unable to obtain homeowner’s insurance due to the height/proximity of transmission lines to home. Is this true?
Except in very limited locations, MCRP will be constructed within existing NJ Transit and JCP&L rights-of way. The project will be designed for the conductors and associated transmission lines to be located over the railroad tracks. Therefore overhead transmission lines will not pass directly over any dwelling, structure or related property improvement, including pools, spas or water features. Therefore, JCP&L does not expect that the MCRP will impact the ability to obtain homeowners insurance.
5. The removal of trees in the conservation areas will cause flooding. Will JCP&L be responsible to remediate any damage to personal property?
JCP&L takes its commitment to the environment very seriously, and the MCRP is no exception. JCP&L will comply with all New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations and best practices to minimize any potential impact to the environment.
6. Health impact of those that live near transmission lines.
JCP&L understands that residents along the proposed route have concerns about electric and magnetic fields (EMF). The overall conclusion reached by national and international scientific and health agencies makes clear that exposures to EMF that people encounter in their daily life, including those from transmission lines like the one considered here, do not pose any recognized health risks. This project meets New Jersey’s electric field guideline for the edge of the right-of-way.
7. What is the depth of the right away running along tracks?
Between NJT and JCP&L, the average width of the ROW is 140 feet.
8. How much property will be required to install the poles and road?
The existing right-of-way is adequate for the project and based on current design, JCP&L does not intend to acquire additional rights through this area.
9. Will the property needed infringe on Cedar village common area property?
The proposed project will be constructed within existing NJT and JCP&L rights-of–way in the vicinity of Cedar Village.
10. We were told the area was considered wetlands. Will this infringe on wetland areas? We would appreciate any information you can provide us. We have site maps but they do not include any measurements.
Wetlands were delineated within the NJ Transit ROW and existing JCP&L easements. Overseeing the permitting, planning and reporting processes for this project is the responsibility of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These agencies will ensure our company is taking every step necessary to protect the environment. JCP&L will obtain all necessary permits from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.