Public Meeting News Release 10/08/2024

Organizers of the StopTransource Franklin County group provided a review and update of the Transource Independence Energy Connection Project on Monday, October 7, at 6 PM at the New Franklin Community Center. The Independence Energy Connection Project proposed 29-miles of 135-feet tall transmission towers to span eastern Franklin County with each mile holding five to seven towers. Franklin County residents joined together to protect Franklin County.

PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization for Pennsylvania, approved the Transource Project in 2016. Within the year, Stop Transource--a grass roots group of landowners, citizens, and community leaders--formed with a goal of opposing the Transource Project at the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC). Ultimately, the diligence and determination paid off. In May 2021, the PA PUC denied the Transource applications and rescinded the PA PUC certificate of public convenience. The journey continued as Transource filed state and federal lawsuits and appeals ensued. In July 2024, the Franklin County Commissioners approved a bizarre settlement agreement and ended its opposition to the planned transmission project. Yet, StopTransource remains committed to its original goal of protecting Franklin County.

Stop Transource Franklin County President Lori Rice and Guest speaker Keryn Newman spoke to the well attended group including State Representative Rob Kauffman and local township supervisors. They explained the short sighted ill informed settlement the Franklin County Commissioners signed with Transource has no bearing in this case coming to fruition. The case is still before the third circuit court of Pennsylvania where the Pennsylvania Utility Commission continues to defend its position of denying the project.

The regional grid operator PJM suspended the project in 2021, every study they have recently done shows there's no viability for this project. Studies do show now that this would only cause uncontrolled congestion and potential reliability violations to the grid.

Rice outlined the need for preventive measures and land designations to be swiftly worked upon for future protections of our homes and farm lands. Announcing the new platform to do this much needed work form is the “Coalition To Protect Franklin County”.

The Coalition To Protect Franklin County is a new nonprofit tax deductible 501c3 with the mission of “Endeavoring to Protect, Preserve and Procure Franklin County”. Rice says CTPFC is actively working on these protection measures against future threats.

Please visit the Coalition to Protect Franklin County at www.CTPFC.com or contact them at CTPFC.PA@gmail.com

Rice says donations are still needed to continue this mission. Volunteers are also needed, if you have a skill set please visit the website to connect. Look for the “Coalition To Protect Franklin County” facebook page coming soon.