2010 Report - Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

September 2009. A Recommended Decision, conditionally approving the application, was issuedon Nov. 12, 2009, and adopted on Jan. 14, 2010. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilitiesapproved the New Jersey portion of the line (45 miles) on Feb. 11, 2010.The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyzethe potential impacts of the project on the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, theMiddle Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. TheEIS will compare the three alternative routes that had been originally considered to determine thealternative that would minimize impacts to the natural and human resources within the parks andsurrounding areas. NPS is also developing other alternatives which may include relocation of theproject partially outside of park boundaries, installation of portions of the entire upgraded lineunderground, installation of the line on the bottom of the Delaware River, an alternative that usesdirect current, or a denial of the request for permits.The Commission’s approval of construction of a portion of the line is contingent upon the receiptof the necessary NPS permit. On March 1, 2010, the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) filed aPetition for Reconsideration or Clarification, which was granted on March 11, 2010, pendingfurther review and consideration on the merits. On April 22, 2010, the Commission denied OCA’spetition, thus reaffirming its previous approval of the application.Figure 7 Susquehanna-Roseland 500 kV line alternatives12Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission