CRANBERRY TWP — As the impact of regional growth begins to affect energy infrastructure, FirstEnergy has proposed a new transmission line.

The company sent a letter to residents that may be affected by the project, explaining its plan to construct Cranberry-Pine No. 3, a 138-kilovolt transmission line that would connect the Cranberry substation to the existing 138/69 kilovolt transmission line. The line would stretch about four miles through Adams and Cranberry townships.

“We've already seen some residential and business expansion load growth, particularly in the Pine Township area,” said Jennifer Young, spokeswoman for FirstEnergy. “We only anticipate that it's going to grow in that area.”

The company laid out nine potential routes, with several routes following a current line stretching through Cranberry and Adams. According to the letter, the new line is needed to “enhance service reliability for Penn Power customers in Butler and Allegheny Counties and the surrounding area.”

FirstEnergy has scheduled two public meetings for 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 22 and 23 at the Mars High School. Attendees will have the chance to learn more about the proposals and can give their input regarding the route options and potential impact on the community.

“The really important part is the community feedback,” Young said. “Our goal is always to minimize the impact on the public.”

These are the only meetings to be scheduled as the company hopes to file its plans with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by this spring or summer, Young said.

The new line will require a 60-foot wide right of way. If built along the existing line, the existing right of way may not need to be expanded, depending on the area around the line and the findings of engineers, Young said.

Once plans are filed, the PUC decides whether to accept them. If it does, the company can then begin communicating with any property owners affected by the project, negotiating payments and terms for the land. The company hopes to begin construction by spring of 2020 and have the line up and running by June 2021.

For residents concerned about the potential impact on their properties and communities, both Adams and Cranberry Township officials say they are working to understand what they can do to protect residents' property and interests in the township.

“We have definite concerns,” said Ron Henshaw, Cranberry Township's planning and development services director. “We're concerned about the effect on our residents as well as the township park, where these lines go by.”

He encouraged any concerned residents to attend next week's meetings to learn more about the plans and make their voices heard about the potential impact on their property and parks.

“We're trying to get the word out that people, if they have concerns, they really need to attend that hearing,” Henshaw said.

Officials in Adams Township also expressed concern, saying they are looking into what the township can do for concerned citizens.

“The township will be doing as much as we legally can to protect property owners in Adams,” said Gary Peaco, Adams Township manager, in an email.

Officials in both townships are planning to attend next week's meetings.

Those who cannot attend either of these meetings can reach the company at 1-800-589-2837 or transmissionprojects@firstenergycorp.com.