Is a Powerline About to Come Through Your Backyard?

Nov 19, 2023

Nov 2023 –

Access the printable PDF of this page here.

What do we know?

  • East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) is planning to install a new substation in Madison County near Redlick Road/Pilot Knob, as well as 8.5 miles of new 69-kV powerline to connect to an existing transmission line in Jackson County, near the Horselick/Three Links area. The 69-kV powerline — called “Big Hill-Three Links” — will be on 90-foot poles, with 100ft feet of maintained clearcut. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2024.
  • Many impacted residents were NOT informed of the Open House event held in September 2023. Some only found out due to neighbors’ comments and other efforts to ensure it was known about. Over 300 people attended; all were concerned, many were angry. Berea College and Berea City Council, who are also impacted, were in attendance.
  • Many property owners still do not know about this project. This is not ok. The project has very little public support, and EKPC’s input gathering has been minimal.
  • EKPC says their land agents will visit property owners to negotiate easement contracts between Nov 2023 and Mar 2024 (but expect them to be very active early in that period).
  • If your property is touched by EKPC’s preferred powerline pathway, expect a visit or call from a land agent very soon. You may even have already met one of these land agents representing Emerald Agency, who is contracted to EKPC for land acquisitions.

How will this affect you, your property, and the community?

  • Likely negative impact on the sale value and salability of your property.
  • Lines could be as close as 300ft from resident homes – but EKPC admits 150-200ft is possible.
  • Lost value of lumber and firewood from cleared forest area.
  • Problems with water and air quality due to pesticide drift and soil runoff.
  • Potential powerline humming noise.
  • Increased access points on your property and increased frequency of strangers on your land.
  • Increased potential for fires (caused by a downed power line).
  • Loss of habitat for desirable species; new opportunities for invasives like kudzu.
  • Unsightly powerline cut marring previously beautiful natural areas.

(See “Homeowners Concerns” handout for more details and references)

If EKPC, or a Land Agent Approaches you…. You have rights!

  • Don’t let the land agent scare you into signing a bad deal. You can ‘say no,’ and you can also ‘negotiate specific contractual elements’ that benefit you, your land, and your neighbors.
  • As property owners, we have rights. We do not have to sell; we can demand mechanic maintenance, ensure that environmental and historical research is conducted on our land, and get all the information that they find directly reported to us as landowners.
  • Remember that their strategy is to get you to sign quickly and at the lowest possible cost to the power company.
  • No matter how friendly a land agent seems, they represent the power company – they are not your friend and are not neutral; their job is to acquire the land.
  • Sharing property details with land agents almost always benefits them, not you.

Take Action!

  • Talk to your neighbors — all of them — you are in this together! Coordinate your strategies.
  • Multiple resisting properties will be powerful in protecting your land and costly for EKPC.
  • Consider getting legal representation. This will help make sure your monetary compensation is fair and that your future land rights are explicitly protected in the contract language. (See our handout, “Finding Legal Representation“)
  • Consider getting an appraisal for the current sale value of your property. This will help you negotiate fair compensation from EKPC for the impact of the power line on your property.
  • Remember that verbal promises and informal explanation sheets have no legal weight. Only what is in the final, signed contract matters. Ignore verbal reassurances; get it in writing, in the contract. (See handout, “Easement Contract Tips“)
  • Regarding how the company will maintain the easement on your land, consider including a “no chemical pesticides” clause in your contract to protect the health of your land, air, water, animals — and your family.
  • Call EKPC (859-744-4812) and, importantly, your local energy provider (Blue Grass Energy Cooperative 859-623-1582 or Jackson Energy Cooperative 606-364-1000) and let them know how you feel about the proposal. As Cooperative members, your voice counts!
  • Don’t panic; you have time. Learn what your rights are. Know that you can negotiate.

Contact Info And Final Comments:

  • We are a group of neighbors, property owners, and other people interested in stopping the Big Hill-Three Links project; or, if it turns out to be impossible to stop, to at least help our neighbors protect themselves as best they can from the negative consequences of EKPC’s
    powerline and process.
  • EKPC evaluated alternatives to this project. They chose the Big Hill-Three Links option because it was the cheapest, not because it was the best. Don’t let them get off cheap and dirty!
  • Explore this website for these documents, and a detailed Q&A on the context of EKPC and energy issues, how to get attorney support and why we are opposed to this project,
  • Please join us in the fight to protect our land and watershed: