Manuscript Group 440
GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITIES CORPORATION AND DUQUESNE LIGHT COMPANY TRANSMISSION
LINE PROJECT RECORDS
1991-1994
2 cubic feet
On September 11, 1991, four electric utility companies - Duquesne Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company, and Jersey Central Power and Light Company submitted a joint application to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the construction of a proposed 268 mile, 500 kilovolt electric transmission line. The proposed transmission line would extend from outside Pittsburgh to Three Mile Island in Londonderry Township. The line would have initially been used to transfer electricity from the Duquesne Light system to General Public Utilities customers in central and eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The project, however, became one of the most controversial power-line projects in Pennsylvania state history. The proposal was met with opposition as nearly 10,000 letters of protest were sent to the utility commission. The opponents raised three primary concerns: potential health problems, lower property values, and environmental concerns. Hearing and testimonies were conducted before the Pennsylvania Utility Commission for review. The contents of the presented case conveyed the need for the proposed high volt transmission line, description of the routes to be taken, estimated cost, date and time of completion, environmental impact studies, and the names and addresses of property owners whose land would be in use. The project was terminated on December 10, 1993 after General Public Utilities filed a "Petition for Leave to Withdraw from Proceedings of Metropolitan Edison Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company, and Jersey Central Power and Light Company."
