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11 <br /> November 24, 1997 <br /> Response to Orange County Board of Commissioners Questions <br /> Reference letter of November 20, 1997 <br /> Question 1: Does Piedmont EMC fully accept and appreciate and understand that <br /> the residents and property owners affected by proposed routes A and <br /> B are unanimous in opposing these routes? <br /> Yes. Piedmont EMC received numerous calls, letters, and a petition <br /> signed by approximately 125 residents and property owners along <br /> proposed routes A and B expressing opposition to the selection of these <br /> routes. <br /> Question 2: Given the fact that the residents and property owners have expressed <br /> their unified opposition to proposed routes A and B,why does <br /> Piedmont persist in maintaining that all four proposed line routes are <br /> still under consideration and are"in areas where the effect would be <br /> minimal?" <br /> Piedmont EMC understands and appreciates the opinions and views which <br /> have been expressed publicly by people who live in the vicinity of the <br /> proposed routes (A, B, C, and D). Many issues have been voiced <br /> including concerns about property values, aesthetics and electric and <br /> magnetic fields. <br /> PEMC has executed a comprehensive siting process that is regarded to be <br /> the standard for the electric utility industry. The siting process meets the <br /> requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act which requires the <br /> complete consideration and analysis of alternate routing opportunities. <br /> PEMC is under the jurisdiction of NEPA through the Rural Utilities <br /> Services which is a federal agency. The process is designed to thoroughly <br /> investigate, analyze and account for the full array of issues and factors <br /> which must have influence on transmission line routing decisions. <br /> A community survey was conducted and the results were analyzed, <br /> tabulated, and organized for the purpose of inclusion in the siting process. <br /> Moreover,PEMC conducted two community workshops where every <br /> landowner and resident in the study area,the County Board of <br /> Commissioners, and representatives of the N. C. Utilities Commission <br /> were invited to discuss, offer comments and to fully inform themselves <br /> about the project. All routes (A, B, C, and D)were shown because they <br /> are all located in relatively low constraint regions of the project study area <br /> and to stimulate and invite open, constructive dialogue regarding all <br /> routes. <br />