by Gene Marrano
Appalachian Electric Power spokesman Tom Rotenberry and several other AEP employees met with about a dozen residents of southwest Roanoke County’s Green Valley neighborhood on Tuesday night, concerning the cutting down of trees for a high voltage power line. The reception was less than warm.
Homeowners along Janney Lane and Crawford Road have complained to Cave Spring supervisor Charlotte Moore about what they called clear-cutting of trees and shrubs along an AEP right-of-way where 100’ tall poles and high-voltage electric lines are being built. Those lines will connect to a new substation being built near Ogden Road, adjacent to Tanglewood Mall. It is being done in response to the demand for more electricity in the area, according to AEP.
“We love our electricity,” said Moore, “[but] we’re here to talk about working together in the future. It appears that most of the trees … have been cut down.” Rotenberry said AEP would be flexible when it came to fixing the problem: “our company has always tried to do what’s right.”
Meeting with Moore and AEP at the Roanoke County administration building, Green Valley residents said the cutting down of trees along the right of way has left an eyesore, and will contribute to flooding of homes from a creek that runs along many of their backyards, due to increased runoff. One resident said an insurance agent told him that for the first time he would have to purchase flood insurance. There were also complaints that AEP tree cutting crews were leaving behind piles of debris that residents have had to deal with.
Marianne Huddleston, AEP right of way supervisor for the project, claimed they were “here to figure out what’s the best [solution] for everyone. [There are] lots of moving parts.” Many said they heard nothing beforehand from AEP or anyone else about the clearing of woods that also acted as a sound buffer from the Norfolk Southern rail freight line that runs through their neighborhood.
“Put up [new trees] for the noise,” asked Moore, who had wanted AEP to run the 138kv power lines underground when the project was first announced several years ago. That request fell on deaf ears; AEP cited the higher cost of burying them as one reason.
Matthew Owens, a Janney Lane resident, claimed that for the first time in memory property values are actually decreasing in the area because of the clear cutting and the unsightly high-voltage lines that will soon make their way from a substation on Starkey Road.
“All you see are the railroad tracks and the mud,” said Owens, worried that the home he purchased five years ago as investment property will take a hit when he goes to sell. And, said Owens, who wants to come out of their house and look at 100’ high power lines? “You tell me [if you] would by my house?” asked Owens, talking again about the “eyesore,” the high voltage lines would represent.
“Please try to help these people,” Moore asked Rotenberry as the meeting concluded. Rotenberry, a former AEP executive called back from retirement several years ago, suggested that everyone wait another month or so, until the remaining vegetation starts blooming again “to see what we have … I think I understand where you’re coming from.”
The former Vinton town council member also suggested that trees planted closer to or in the backyards to shield views of the right of way and the train tracks may be the best solution available, since the planting of trees in the 80’ wide path cut by AEP for the high voltage lines may not be feasible. “[In the past] we almost had a forest back there,” lamented one homeowner.
