Concern Growing Among Monmouth County Residents About Potential Power Line Project

Concern is growing among a group of Monmouth County residents about a potential project from electric company Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) that they say will be both an eyesore and dangerous to those who live near it.

JCP&L calls it the Monmouth Reliability Project, a series of extra high voltage 230 kilovolt power lines that will run along the New Jersey Transit tracks from Aberdeen to Red Bank.

In a letter on the proposal's website, JCP&L Vice President of Operations Tony Hurley says the project in response to increased demand from customers. He writes, "This project will enhance service by updating the system with modern technology and delivering the additional power our customers require."

Residents who oppose the project have formed an online group called 'Residents Against Giant Electric (RAGE),' to voice their concerns and try to have the proposal rejected. The group is nearly 3,000 members strong.

Their reasons for fighting the potential power lines range from worries about the potential health hazards of living near such high powered electric lines to fears that the 100+ foot monopoles will reduce property values and ruin the landscape at the Jersey Shore.

There have been several town hall-style meetings about the project, the next one planned for tonight by the Hazlet Township Committee. They'll meet in the Hazlet Township Municipal Building at 7 p.m. to discuss the issue.

JCP&L will need approval from the Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities before it can proceed. The company directs residents to monmouthreliability.com or 855-277-9332 for more information.