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Cedarville Residents Express Concerns Over Power Lines

Cedarville residents attended an open house meeting at City Hall Thursday to learn more about a proposal for a 750-mile power line that could be built through t...

Cedarville residents attended an open house meeting at City Hall Thursday (Jan. 10) to learn more about a proposal for a 750-mile power line that could be built through their town.

Mayor Glenanna O'Mara requested the meeting with representatives of Clean Line Energy Partners after she said landowners in Cedarville were not notified of similar meetings held in recent months.

“We’re one of the few towns that this goes through," said Mayor O'Mara, "and yet, the mayor was not notified.”

O'Mara said the meeting was very informative and helped educate residents about the proposed plans, but there are still many unanswered questions.

Charles DeShazo said all three of the proposed paths will cross his family's property. He's concerned about the high-voltage electricity crossing over their land.

"I'm not saying that I would be against it going across our property, but I would like to have more information on it," said DeShazo.

Larry and Janice Prater are concerned they power lines will harm their organic farm status. "I’m afraid that people that are interested in buying organic meat and organic plants won’t want to buy something that (the power line) passes over or is near,” said Janice Prater.

Other residents are focusing on the benefits the power line project will bring the community.

“To me, it seems like it’ll be a positive impact for our area," said Dewite DeShazo. "There will be jobs created in the construction of these lines. And wind energy is probably the cheapest, safest resource we have for our nation.”

Clean Line Energy Partners estimates the project will generate enough power to provide electricity to more than one million homes per year.

The U.S. Department of Energy will hold public meetings to gather public input which will be included in an Environmental Impact Statement on the project. The next meeting held in the River Valley is scheduled for Feb. 11 at the Van Buren Public Library beginning at 5 p.m.

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