ADOPTED 08/03/1998

WHEREAS, the Nashville Electric Service (NES) plans construction of a Central Power Look of super high energy power lines around the core of Nashville; and

WHEREAS, Phase I of this 20-year plan, which will connect the Craighead and Sharondale electric substations, appears to be slated for the Battlemont District/Green Hills/Woodmont East/Sunnyside neighborhoods along Interstate 440; and

WHEREAS, the number of volts running through these neighborhoods would increase from the present 69kV to 230kV, with the addition of the proposed 161kV high voltage lines; and

WHEREAS, according to an Associated Press news release dated June 26, 1998, "An international panel of experts convened by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reported that electric and magnetic fields like those surrounding electric power lines should be regarded as a ‘possible human carcinogen’. Furthermore, the epidemiological studies showed a slight increase in childhood leukemia risk from power line/residential exposure and an increase in chronic leukemia risk in adults in electricity-intensive industries."; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Nashville, Tennessee have serious concerns regarding the issues of health, safety, aesthetics, impact on the environment and property values as they pertain to the installation of super high energy power lines into a residential area; and

WHEREAS, many of the residents in the Battlemont District/Green Hills/Woodmont East/Sunnyside neighborhoods along I-440 were neither given official notification of the NES/Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings that have been taking place since February 1998, nor made aware that their neighborhoods were a preferred route for the new high voltage lines; and

WHEREAS, citizens expect politically-appointed entities such as citizens advisory committees and publicly-owned utility companies to make responsible decisions concerning the community’s future; and

WHEREAS, the CAC is scheduled to select their final route recommendation at the next NES/CAC meeting on August 11, 1998, with NES pole and line construction to begin this fall.

SECTION 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting Nashville Electric Service to delay its scheduled Central Power Loop construction project for one hundred twenty days (120) to conduct research into the need of the power loop, as well as route, design and engineering alternatives before a final decision is made.

SECTION 2. Further, that public hearings be held to provide an opportunity to allow all citizens an opportunity to express their concerns about this construction project.

SECTION 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to each member of the Nashville Electric Service Power Board.

SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored By: Mansfield Douglas & David Kleinfelter