Middletown BOE Comes Out Again JCP&L Powerlines

MIDDLETOWN, NJ-- The Middletown Board of Education announced that they are against the JCP&L Monmouth County Reliability Project, and will be filing for intervener status in the case.

The Board of Education joins the Township, Hazlet and Holmdel in asking the courts to stop JCP&L from building a ten mile stretch of powerlines along the North Jersey Coast Line tracks. The three townships announced in late September that they were pooling funds to hire lawyers and engineers to fight the proposal.

"Interveners are parties that get a seat at the table when this issue is decided," Vinnie Brand, a Board of Education member, told Patch. "Intervener status requires a filing that states a legal interest in the project, in this case the the project is injurious to the Middletown B.O.E."

Much like other interest groups, Brand cited quality of life concerns and property values as factors in the Board's 9-0 vote.

"...These lines will create a path through town that will affect our property values and thus our tax base, both of which are injurious to the BOE," Brand said. "If this were not enough, the emissions from these lines are highly suspected of causing childhood leukemia and other illnesses. These are simply unacceptable risks to take with our childrens' lives and our town as a whole."

Ron Morano, a JCP&L spokesman, refuted these claims, saying the lines are safe and necessary to deliver reliable service.

"The proposed levels of magnetic fields from the transmission line along the right-of-way are similar to those associated with wood pole distribution lines that have existed throughout the country for nearly 100 years," Morano told Patch. "An independent real estate expert has found that MCRP will not impact property values."

RAGE (Residents of Giant Electric), a vocal anti-powerline group, was in support of the decision. "
"We applaud the Middletown Board of Education for standing with RAGE to intervene against the JCP&L power line project on behold of its employees and all children who attend the schools and play on our fields and in our parks," Judy Musa, a representative, said.

A RAGE meeting going more in-depth on intervenors and other legal happenings will be next week in Hazlet.

READ MORE:

• JCPL Brings Back Controversial High-Voltage Power Line
• Monmouth Residents RAGE Against JCPL Power Line Plan
• Tears, Shouting at JCPL Meeting Wednesday Night in Hazlet

Image via Clint Mason, flickr.