FirstEnergy, an Ohio energy company, is planning to construct a new 138-kV transmission line, the Hayes-West Freemont Transmission Line, in northeast Ohio.  The line will run approximately 30 miles between the existing West Freemont substation in Sandusky County to the proposed new Hayes substation in Erie County.  The project is still in the preliminary stages, as no preferred route has been identified at this time. However, local landowners are still voicing their concern over the potential impacts of the project.  The new line will potentially affect a historic farm in Sandusky County that is home to two bald eagle nests.

FirstEnergy is planning to submit their application to build the line to the Ohio Power Siting Board in mid-2013.  No specific date has been announced.  FirstEnergy anticipates the need to acquire some property as well as easements for the line.  If the company is unable to reach agreements with landowners, then the company will likely be forced to use the power of eminent domain.  Land and easement acquisition is currently scheduled to begin after FirstEnergy has submitted its application to the Ohio Power Siting Board.

For more information about the eminent domain attorneys at Sever Walker Padgitt, or if you are concerned about the impacts of this project, please contact our office at any time at 1-888-318-3761 or visit us on the web at https://landownerattorneys.com/.

George Padgitt, Sever Walker Padgitt