Concerning the proposed routes for the new BPA power lines, my worry is public safety. There are studies that link electromagnetic radiation to cancer. Even more alarming is that these new lines will generate approximately twice as much energy as the current lines. We should avoid building these power lines near populations until the effects of electromagnetic radiation are better understood. As the old saying goes, “better safe than sorry.”
Recently the BPA’s consulting firm, Energy and Environmental Economics Inc., filed a report showing that the power line proposal could be delayed by five years if BPA utilizes procedures of conserving and rerouting energy. BPA should delay the proposed construction and use that time to research the effects of electromagnetic radiation from these newer lines. They should also allocate time to finding a solution to where the new power lines should be routed.
There have been proposals to move the lines farther to the east or west, into mostly forested areas. However, these proposals face opposition because it would cost more to build in these areas, and timber sales that generate millions of dollars for the community would be affected.
So, is money more important than safety?
Micah Wolfe
Vancouver
