Power line opponents: Not here, not anywhere

CAMPOBELLO, S.C. – Hundreds of people turned out for an unusual South Carolina utilities meeting Thursday to voice opposition — and often ire — to Duke Energy's plan to construct a new high-voltage power line that will begin in the Upstate foothills and cross mountains to Asheville.

"The heartburn factor is astronomical," said Rep. Mike Burns, whose district includes northern Greenville County. "I have not had one single constituent, I have not had one phone call in favor of this project. Nobody has come and asked me, 'Would you get behind Duke so this line can travel up though northern Greenville County on Route 4?"

That proposed route crosses the escarpment, passing through forests, boy scout Camp Old Indian, the Greenville watershed and, among other communities, two upscale The Cliffs developments.

Burns was among three area state representatives who addressed the South Carolina Public Service Commission, the agency that regulates utilities in that state. Each drew boisterous applause as they opposed the project, saying it has no benefit for South Carolina.

In what might be an unprecedented move, the Public Service Commission agreed to host the forum, though Duke has not formally filed its proposal for the 230-kilovolt line and an accompanying tie-in station that would connect it to the grid.

The power company did introduce its proposal to the public a month ago, a move that quickly galvanized residents to form opposition community groups.

One group, the Foothills Preservation Alliance wore bright green T-shirts Thursday emblazoned with "United To Save Our Foothills," while dozens of others carried "Stop Duke" signs.

Several Duke officials attended, including Heather Smith, deputy general counsel, who made a brief statement that the utility is listening to resident concerns.

The evening however, belonged to those opposed to the project, some shooting down the proposal with "not in my backyard" reasons, saying transmission towers averaging 140 feet in height would destroy property values, hinder business, and insult the environment.

Others though, questioned the need for the lines or the substation, while Madelon Wallace, a Landrum-based real estate agent, was brought to tears in her three minutes before the commissioners.

She has been an area resident for 44 years, she said, and has watched as conservationists fought a climate of little zoning and land-use planning to preserve the environment.

"Our community now stands to lose everything we hold dear," she said.

Duke officials have said the lines are needed to bring supplemental power to Western North Carolina. The company will choose a single route about 45-miles long in early October.

Six of the seven Public Service commissioners were present, including Elizabeth Fleming, who represents Greenville and Spartanburg counties for that agency.

Terry Schager, a Gowensville resident and member of the Foothills Preservation Alliance, said he hopes the commissioners leave the meeting understanding the irreversible damage the proposed structures will have on the foothills and Blue Ridge Escarpment.

"The commissioners must realize how much work has gone into the creation of greenspace, conservation easements and the incredible investment made in equestrian properties," Schager said. "They need to understand that South Carolina will see no gain and only a huge economic loss if this project is permitted to proceed."