Stories
Renee writes:
I first met with Marc Jackson from PPL regarding my selling an easement to the utility company sometime in early October (approximately). He showed me a plot map indicating where the power lines where going to cross my property.
One of the towers will be located on my property according to the map. He said that PPL was prepared to purchase the easement and that most of the property owners that would be affected had agreed to sell PPL the easements.
Marc indicated that PPL had obtained all the necessary approvals for the power lines, barring a few surveys etc., and that the lines were definitely going to go up through the areas that the map outlined. I asked when the construction of the project would begin and he stated in the summer of 2008. I specifically remember asking him that question because I had just purchased the property and I joked about how much longer I would have to enjoy the view.
Although, he was not rude or aggressive – in conversation regarding the easements he did state that PPL did have the right to condemn the land of homeowners who would not sell them an easement. He stated that it was not something that PPL would want to do but that the law allows the utility company the right to do so. He also stated that typically the first monetary offer the utility company would make to a homeowner would be their most generous offer – a sort of thank you for your cooperation bonus.
I was a little put off by the fact that PPL primarily used market comparisons from Richland Township to value my land. I know enough about the local real estate market to know that property in Springfield Township has a higher market value than land in Richland Township. When I asked him why he was using those comps – he did hem and haw a bit – stating that there was more land recently sold in RT and that the properties in question were geographically close enough to one another to be valid.
Honestly, that is a crock – but at that point it seemed useless to argue the point. I did agree to sell the easement and I received compensation in January 2008.
In March I received a phone call from Wachovia Bank who holds the mortgage on my property. Basically, they were calling to tell me that I owed them the money I received from PPL because the appraised value of my property had been reduced by 18K due to my selling PPL the easement and in order to bring the loan into balance I owed them the money I received for the easement.
I was in a state of shock.
At no time did Marc Jackson mention to me – that depending on my mortgage that my lender may ask to be reimbursed. His title is Real Estate Specialist; I would be surprised that he has never encountered this particular situation before. I was extremely upset that he neglected to mention the possibility that the money would need to be remitted to my lender. After several phone calls to Wachovia they said that they would not be seeking the money that was paid to me. If they had insisted on payment I would have found myself in a terrible situation. At the time, my estranged husband stopped paying child support and alimony and I had used some of the money for our living expenses.
Bottom line: If I had known that PPL did NOT have all the final approvals for this project I would NOT have sold them the easement at the time that I did. Now my property value has decreased for a project that might not even occur. I think Marc Jackson was less than forthcoming regarding the approval of the power line project and outright did NOT mention to me that there was a possibility that my lender would want to be paid for the easement.
Renee Emilian
2028 Salem Road, Coopersburg PA 18036
Philip Pattison, Sr. writes:
Anybody who checks the proposed route of this power line has to see the areas it is going to destroy. A very high percentage of these areas are untouched woodlands, some farmland and the worst is being very close to residential homes. This not only detracts from the visual appearance and property value, but studies have shown there is a definite problem with EMFs.
Just off Povenski Rd at the rear of my land is where this line is proposed. This area is a swamp and a stream. This is the head waters of the Tohickon creek. The majority of the swamp is going to be cleared and probably a road built for crews to gain access. This is going to destroy the swamp, creek and wild life habit a t. I'm sure that along this proposed route there are even more sensitive areas that will be destroyed.
Another problem I have is the fact that this route goes primarily through residential and farm land with no industrial areas. The proposed sub station is on farmland mixed with residential. I am concerned that 80 acres on which the sub station is to be located (Hickon Rd.) Will end up being some kind of industrial complex for
PPL. This definitely should not happen in this type of setting.
PPL is concerned about spending a little bit more to run This line on the already approved right of way along route 309 which could cost them a few million more which U understand. However, the line would be on industrial land not disrupting basically virgin land.
The bonuses this corporation throws around to its executives should be put to better use in keeping a better rapport with its customers. Namely, spending the millions they need to run the line thru industrial zones.
I had some dealings a few years ago with the PUC about our phone lines. I made one phone call and within 2 weeks the PUC was checking on the problem. The problem was resolved in a short period of time. The PUC showed me that they have the public's interest at heart and want the right things to happen. The PUC is the public's buffer between large corporation and the little guy. I appeal to your sense of right and wrong in making this decision. Because it is a matter of money where this proposed line will go,
I ask you to do the right thing and not allow this line to go through pristine land, destroying everything in its way.
Philip Pattison, Sr.
965 Povenski Rd
Quakertown, PA 19951