ML19289C638

Discusses Environ Concerns Re Const of high-voltage Overhead Transmission Lines.Concerns Pertain to Shock Hazards, Biological & Physiological Hazards,Esthetics & Interference W/Radio & Television Communications

ML19289C638
Person / Time
Site:	Allens Creek File:Houston Lighting and Power Company icon.png
Issue date:	12/26/1978
From:	Rentfro W AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
To:	Bright G, Cheatum E, Wolfe S AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED, Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel
References
NUDOCS 7901220041
Download: ML19289C638 (4)

Text

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-1 s P. C. Box 1335 Essenberg, Texas 77471 (C$ December 25, 1973

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Sheldon J. Wolfe, Esq., Chairman Dr. E. Leonard Cheatum Atomic Safety and Licensing Route 3, 3ox 350A Watkinsville, Georgia 30577 Ecard Panel U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 _

Mr. Glenn O. Bright Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Conmission Washington, D.C. 20555 In The Matter Of Houston Lighting & Pcwer Company (Allens Creek Nuclear Generating Station, Unit 1)

Docket No. 50-466 Gentlemen:

I have gathered a significant amount of data concerning the effects of high-voltage overhead transmission lines on the health and safety of people and animals living beneath them.

Most of the test data references transmission lines in the range of 345 KV AC to 675 KV AC.

Much of the data is based on intermittant exposure such as a work environment or laboratory.

Houston My concerns are for a much more severe environment.

Lighting & Power is proposing a transmission "corrider" on my property with three transmission lines, all 345 KV AC or larger.

This considerably magnifies the hazards associated with over-head transmission lines.

My family occupies our residence on a full time basis, which further multiplies the harmful effects.

The primary areas of my concern are:

a. Shock Hazards: This is a major concern and very well docu-mented. In lines operating at 230 KV AC or above, the ca-pacative coupling effect induces significant static charges including and or currents in hearby conductive objects, biological organisms. There are significantvehicles, problems with struc-conductive cbjects such as farm equipment The tures with metallic components, wire fences, etc.

severity of the shock hazards associatec with a transmission 790122eO41

Page #2 Oecember 26, 1978 corridor carrying over 1000 KV AC are of great concern.

The potential dangers presented by secondary effects such as involuntary reflex reactions are great. These could cause a fall from ladders, from moving farm equipn*nt, or from a horse. All could result in injury or death.

While such shocks may not be considered directly physio-logically harmful, they are annoying, painful and fati-guing.

b. Biological / Physiological Hazards To Humans: Biological organisms including humans are conductive objects and cur-rents are introduced within them even when not in contact with an object which may also present a shock hazard.

I contend that long term biological effects can occur from continuous exposure to the fields. Most of the data and experiments relating to this hazard have been in work or laboratory environments with intermittent exposure. One such experiment in Russia where workers were exposed to electric fields in an AC switchyard environment suggests various nonspecific central nervous system disorders.

In March, 1975, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice (Federal Register, 40 (53) 12312, March 13, 1975) requesting data on the health and environ ental ef-fects associated with the operation of EAV overaead trans-mission lines. As of March, 1976, over 50 res,onses total-ing more than 6,000 pages had been received.

The New York Public Service Commission has conducted one of the most extensive investigations into the health and safety effects of high voltage overhead transmission lines.

By June, 1976, they had heard direct testimony from 26 scientists and engineers, more than 90 exhibits were intro-duced and a 10,000 page record of direct testimony and cross-examination had been compiled. Hearings have contin-ued over the past two years and a final report is not yet available.

During the hearings, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation was allowed to proceed with a 675 KV line, but was required to take additional protective measures including:

1. Acquisition of a substantially wider right-of-way than proposed to provide a protective zone.

2. Measures to limit the use of or access to the right-of-way.

3. Purchase of structures on or near the right-of-way.

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4. Conduct educational programs relating to the hazards of permitted or prohibited uses of the right-of-way or protective zone.

5. Contribute to research programs which may be neces-sary to further define health hazards.

The ?.S.C. staff, which acted as a party itself throughout the hearings published a preliminary recommendation that expressed a significant concern for health and safety and included:

1. That a 675 KV transmission will probably cause biolo-gical effects in humans exposed to them on a chronic basis.

2. There is a need to inform individuals living in proxi-mity of the lines of this hazard and require the utilities to purchase or relocate residences when the electric . field strength exceeds .4 KV/M.

3. There is a need for research to determine specific adverse biological effects induced in humans.

4. That some individuals will be aroused from sleep or prevented from sleeping by the noise produced by these lines during inclement weather. The noise should be reduced or residences within 325 feet of the lines should be purchased.

5. The line should be designed to reduce the shocks to 1.0 milliampere for fixed objects.

6. The utilities should provide aopropriate grounding devices for residents adjacent to the line. Residents should be notified of the shock hazard.

7. Refueling of vehicles on the right-of-way should be prohibited.

S. School busses should not pickup or discharge children under the lines.

C. Other effects:

1. Esthetics - Routing a transmission corridor through an established subdivision and over residences is an esthetic vulgarity and violation of deed restrictions.

2. Radio & Television Interference - These lines will deprive me of the use and pleasure of radio and tele-vision receivers.

3. Audible Noise - The high noise level will disrupt sleep leading to fatigue and other associated physical disorders.

At this time, there are numerous private and governmental tests underway to better access the overall health and environ-mental effects of overhead high voltage transmission lines.

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Page #4 December 26, 1978 Scientific inquiry tends to confirm the hypothesis of advarse long-term biological effects from exposure to transmission line fields.

-I respectfully suggest that approval of my petition for leave to intervene in these hearings would be a positive con-tribution in giving due consideration to these hazards.

Very truly yours, 0 '.,

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hD e- . -sh. R-. +T, R WER/js l' cc: Stephen M. Schinki, Counsel for NRC Staff

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