SECTION: Gwinnett; Pg. 1JJ

LENGTH: 566 words

HEADLINE: COUNTY COMMISSION: Group asks moratorium on building power lines

BYLINE: DOUG NURSE

SOURCE: AJC

BODY:
A group of residents faced with living near proposed power lines raised images Tuesday of children with cancer, falling property values, and an industrial giant running roughshod.

Then, they pleaded with the Gwinnett County Commission to impose a moratorium on overhead power lines until the Legislature can establish regulations.

No action was taken, but some commissioners said a more in-depth look at the power line issue may be warranted. The commission also tabled action on a resolution against building the proposed $2.2 billion Northern Arc. Commissioner Marcia Neaton-Griggs, the resolution's sponsor, requested that any action be postponed until April 1.

On Monday, Neaton-Griggs said she wanted the commissioners' stance on the superhighway to be on the record. All she would say Tuesday was she changed her mind after talking to some people.

Commissioners Bert Nasuti, Kevin Kenerly and Neaton-Griggs have come out against the Northern Arc. Chairman Wayne Hill has said he backs the project, and Commissioner John Dunn has not taken a position.

On the issue of the power lines, Hill said the homeowners "have some legitimate concerns."

"We have to take a hard look at it," Hill said. "We'll have to talk to our law department."

He said he is not sure a moratorium could be imposed since power companies aren't under the control of the commission.

"But if there's something we can do, I don't have a problem addressing their resolution, which included the moratorium," the chairman said.

Nasuti also said any action by the county could depend on the outcome of lawsuits involving the power companies and Rabun and Cobb counties over power lines.

Residents who live near Lawrenceville and Grayson are concerned that a proposed 3.8-mile power line would negatively affect them and Simonton Elementary School, which would be closely looped by the 115,000 volt lines.

The power lines would be owned by the Municipal Electric Association of Georgia, a nonprofit company that provides power to 48 cities and counties that buy and distribute electricity, including Lawrenceville.

MEAG officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but they have said that the power lines are necessary to ensure more reliable service.

Anita Epps, vice-chairwoman of Homeowners Opposed to Powerline Encroachment, told commissioners that more and more studies are showing possible links between cancer and exposure to power line electromagnetic fields. She said she was especially concerned about the health of the children who attend Simonton Elementary.

The group has about 60 residents.

Vertice Weaver, treasurer of the group, said other studies, such as analyses in Wisconsin, Texas, California and Virginia, show that power lines drive down property values by 10 to 25 percent.

She said there is a perception among the public that power lines are dangerous, and people don't want to live near them.

Karen Ewing, research coordinator for the homeowners' group, said that MEAG is not accountable to anyone and can choose the routes for their power lines as they see fit.

She said the lines should be routed in ways that accommodate the community.

Renee Unterman, state senator-elect from Loganville, lobbied on behalf of residents, saying she believes the Legislature needs to address the issue.

"I think these are reasonable objections," she said.

GRAPHIC: Photo: Commission Chairman Wayne Hill says homeowners "have some legitimate concerns."

LOAD-DATE: November 6, 2002