ALLENTOWN – PPL’s decision to go with “Route B” for its proposed 500-kv power line has pleased people in northern Pike County, but none of the three routes on the company’s original list was destined to satisfy everyone. 

PPL notes that Route B, which would run south from Hawley to Bushkill, mostly follows existing power line corridors. 

There are exceptions.  The southern portion of the line would cut through part of the huge Saw Creek private residential development.  Fernwood resort would also be in the way.  And, the point where line crosses the Delaware River is within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

In its release announcing its decision, PPL cites environmental considerations.

“Two of our main goals were to minimize the impact of this project on residents near the line, and on the environment,” said David E. Schleicher, vice president-Transmission. “We are convinced that this is the best route to accomplish those goals while providing very real reliability benefits for electric customers in eastern Pennsylvania and throughout the region.”

The PJM Interconnection, which oversees reliability planning for the regional power grid, identified the need for the new line and assigned PPL Electric Utilities to build the Pennsylvania portion.  Public Service Electric & Gas Co. will build the New Jersey portion of the line.

PPL had considered three possible options for its portion of the line.  Route A would have gone through northern Pike County.  Route C would have been well  south, cutting through parts of the Lehigh Valley.