Route for huge, new power lines draws fire

By DAWN HINSHAW dhinshaw@thestate.com  

  " Local leaders are questioning the six-mile path SCE&G has identified for huge new power lines it wants to run through Northeast Richland.

   The state Public Service Commission holds a hearing Oct. 20 on the proposed route, which runs from Blythewood to near the intersection of Hard Scrabble Road and Farrow Road.

   Jerry Lindler, SCE&G’s manager of electric transmission and construction, said Tuesday the company plans to start replacing major transmission lines in January as it prepares for two nuclear reactors it wants to build in Fair-field County. Most of the 37 miles of power lines extending from the reactors will run along existing rights-of-way.

   But the six miles of new lines have caught the attention of both the Richland County Conservation Commission, which says the overhead lines would run too near homes planned at Killian Road and the new tournament park being developed along Hard Scrabble Road; and Blythewood Town Council, which has concerns about the effect of unsightly, 95-foot power lines on planned beautification projects. Current lines are 80 feet tall.

   The conservation commission is asking County Council to intervene in the case, meaning it could submit testimony. The deadline to sign up is Sept. 19."