Dozens turn out for rally against PSE&G power line expansion
Image of the rally via Stop the Lines.
Dozens of people gathered in Newton on Friday for a rally against PSE&G’s proposed power line upgrade, which would increase the voltage of lines and height of towers along an existing right-of-way from Warren County through Sussex and Morris to Essex in New Jersey.
Citizens’ group Stop the Lines, a vocal critic of the project, cheered the protest on its website. “Great rally tonight!!” it says on the site’s front page, next to the date May 29. “Congratulations to all who showed up to look out for their community and their rights!”
Attendance was in the 100 to 120 range, according to Byram Councilman Scott Olson. Olson said he was one of only four elected officials to go (the other three: Mayor Bob Smith of Andover and Fredon committee members Annette Seaman and Carl Lazzaro).
The Highlands Council recently reversed its stance on the project, giving its blessing after the energy giant amended its application. Part of the revised application includes an $18.6 million fund under the council’s control that would be used to mitigate environmental damage, according to PSE&G.
The N.J. Board of Public Utilities has said it will hold public hearings on the proposal June 11 and 18 at Sussex County College and June 30 at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum.
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