Green Jersey

Residents continue to worry about high-voltage power lines

Northern New Jersey residents continue to worry about the safety of PSE&G power lines, though science has yet to provide solid links between electromagnetic fields and serious health problems such as cancer.

Meanwhile, the school in Fredon that had considered closing by Thursday because of the 230-kilovolt lines crossing its playground — where EMF readings were as much as six times higher than recommended levels — will likely remain open.

The district and utility reached an agreement: PSE&G will move the lines and pay a lot of money, up to $950,000, to reimburse the school board for reconfiguring school grounds. In exchange, Fredon Parents against the Lines, or PALS, have agreed to drop their formal opposition to the new 500-kilovolt line.

Officials in Montville, where another school is in the power line’s right-of-way, have hired a consultant to test EMF levels there.

“The obvious question is, what does PSE&G intend to do for all residents along the route whose homes are much closer to the lines?” David Slaperud of the group Stop the Lines wrote in a recent op-ed published in a local paper. “The health and safety concerns for residents living along the line are essentially the same as those of the children and staff at the school, and PSE&G needs to address this issue.”

But PSE&G spokeswoman Karen Johnson has said concerns are unwarranted because scientific research has not concluded EMFs cause cancer or other illnesses.

A vote by the state Board of Public Utilities is expected in January.