Power towers plan unnerving

Hundreds of Pasco residents fill a meeting with Progress Energy on its new lines.

By Chuin-Wei Yap, Times Staff Writer
Published March 13, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - When Jim Meere built his home just south of the Pasco-Hernando county line in 1974, he had one big priority in mind.

"I made sure I built it away from the power lines," he said. "They were just two blocks away."

On Wednesday, he and hundreds of other Pasco residents packed an open house that Progress Energy held at Spartan Manor to lay out its plans: new power lines spanning 10 counties from Levy to Polk, with routes that could potentially affect people just like Meere.

Meere, who said he was representing the 500 members of his Islands Ten Civic Association, said he was nervous and none too happy about the plans.

"My wife is so upset, she couldn't come," he said. "Just based on the turnout today, I think there'll be a lot of opposition."

Progress Energy has taken pains to relieve public concern, especially about the prospect of crossing environmental tracts and private property with the new lines.

Cherie Jacobs, Progress spokeswoman, said that seizing property through eminent domain would only be done as a last resort. The utility would prefer not to take any new land at all, and may opt to buy an easement instead of purchasing property outright, she said. Wherever possible, the utility would locate the new lines with existing lines.

But it was clear that people were nervous.

"It's not something we want in our neighborhood," said Judy Gordon of Lutz.

Big maps lined the rooms at Spartan Manor as 40 Progress consultants took questions from residents. The most popular stations, it appeared, were the ones that showed residents the location of their homes relative to Progress' mile-wide study corridors. Those corridors could run north-south down the Suncoast Parkway, west Pasco or the Starkey Wilderness Park, or east-west along State Road 54.

Progress will select a specific route in June. It may need up to 250 feet of right of way, or none at all.

"We're going to withhold our judgment until they make a decision," said Martha Sullivan of Lutz. "It's right on the border of our property."

The controversy was enough to bring back memories for some.

"Twenty or 30 years ago, I was demonstrating against nuclear power," said Norm Rody of New Port Richey. "I'm not sure where I am now. Coal is dirty... maybe nuclear is the way to go."

Rody said he was "moderately troubled" by the Progress proposal. He's worried about whether the electromagnetic field might affect the three horses he sometimes has on his 3 acres. He fears that his neighbor might not be able to sell his property.

Such concerns weighed on the minds of many at the open house.

Others thought the lines would only fuel more growth and development.

"I'm concerned about the need," said Dan Rametta of Land O'Lakes. "If you need it to bring more people here, then the need exists just to facilitate the profits of the development community."

Questions were also raised about the price tag of a $17-billion nuclear plant that Progress is currently considering.

"That $17-billion cost - how much of it is going to get passed to the consumer?" asked County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand, who was roaming the room.

Asked that question by a reporter, Jacobs gave a candid answer:

"Ultimately, the customer pays for it."

Chuin-Wei Yap can be reached at cyap@sptimes.com or 813909-4613.

To learn more

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For information on Progress Energy's plans to build new power lines, visitprogress-energy.com/energyplanning or contact the company at energyplanning@pgnmail.com or (888) 238-0373.

[Last modified March 12, 2008, 21:31:52]