Overhead Power Lines

GT2 · Apr 15, 2007

Not sure if this is the place to ask, but....
I,ve been looking to buy some property in Idaho.
There is 40 acres that look good, but has big power lines at one end of the property ( the narrow end).
I wouldent need to build any dwellings close to them, but is it a concern? What about grazing animals there? I see animals in other places under the lines.
Thanks, Tim

shvl73 · Apr 15, 2007

The concern I'd have would be people on atv's and snomobiles. They frequently ride the powerlines and if fencing gets in the way, sometime fences get cut. The utility may require access through a gated entrance, check with them and they'll let you know.

RichNJKubota · Apr 15, 2007

Research I've read from Europe indicates that close proximity to the high tension wires can lead to health problems for some. While research from the US says that there are no health concerns. Sorry I don't have the references any longer but try googling it. As long as your house is a few hundred feet from the towers it should be OK. But years from now we might find otherwise.
I've heard from a real estate appraisor I know that high tension wires on the property lowers the value.

Rich

VA_Joe · Apr 15, 2007

RichNJKubota said:
Research I've read from Europe indicates that close proximity to the high tension wires can lead to health problems for some. While research from the US says that there are no health concerns. Sorry I don't have the references any longer but try googling it. As long as your house is a few hundred feet from the towers it should be OK. But years from now we might find otherwise.
I've heard from a real estate appraisor I know that high tension wires on the property lowers the value.

Rich

This debate has been going on for a long time. Problem is that no one really knows the cause/effect. There have been claims that living near power lines causes leukemia in kids due to the fact that one neighborhood located near power lines had an abnormally high number of incidences. Problem with that theory is that because of the way that developers proffer the land to gain rezoning - many schools are located near power lines (land is worth less). However - their doesn't seem to be a epidemics of leukemia or other diseases in those schools (if there was - I guarantee that we would know about it). In short - if there is a problem - it will be a function of proximity, transmission voltage/current (i.e. E and M fields), and long term exposure. Given how unaesthetically pleasing the lines are in the first place (regardless of safety issues) - I would just avoid them w.r.t. placement of the house.

My two cents.

Joe

WayneB · Apr 16, 2007

Seems like you should do a bit of research and find out what type of transmission lines they are, what voltage is going over them and most importantly what the easement is.

We have an easement near our place. It is about 1/2 mile away and they have three transmission lines installed. The latest one was a DC line and I think it is 450K volts. (I’m not really sure of the actual voltage, but know that it is high)

When you are standing under them you can hear it hum, some people say they can feel the hair on the head move, but I have never felt that. The utilities company will tell you they are perfectly safe and not to worry and that the lines do not effect any electronics equipment. I do know the AM radio in the car won't play properly when near them, but who plays the AM radio any more?

Find out if they are permitted to expand the number of lines within the easement. Here in NH most of the power lines are being used for snowmobile trails and illegally for motorcycle, dirt bike and 4 wheelers.

All thought the utilities have an easement to cross the land and permission to cut brush they do not police the property for trespasser. This task is left up to the local police and residence to take care of. So if you see that people are using the power line area already for this type of activity it is very difficult to stop them.

If it is far enough away from where you wish to build and you are not buying the property to subdivide and sell off lots than I wouldn't worry too much.

Wayne

thatguy · Apr 16, 2007

I did some research a while back and IIRC the kids with problems lived within 50' of the lines.. Some friends of ours live near transmission (not delivering local power) lines and had the electric company come out and test.. From inside the house a clock radio was giving off more emissions than the power lines..

Brian

toolaholic · Apr 16, 2007

Allways a good scource Dr. Dean , on the radio.

After a 10 year, study.no problem!

Ken · Apr 17, 2007

Look at all of the power compoany service people. all day every day with the high voltage lines and work in the sub stations. If there were a health problem wouldn't it show up with them first?
The Nay sayers always us old studys repeated by groups that have agenda to go back to the "Old days" where elec. power wasn't used by all.
Wind Generators kills birds.coal burning plants emit oders,fuel burning plants emit gasses, Nuclear plants have a potential of radiation, power lines causes all kinds of illness. The first thing to get rid of all the power lines is to disconnect your use of electricity.Quit oil products, return to living in cave and carry a club for protection.
With this latest group of global warming, loss of bees, even dog food isn't safe any more.

Just my thinking. ken

Robert_in_NY · Apr 17, 2007

We have three sets of high tension lines going across our property. One single set and another dual tower set. The power company constantly flies their helicopter over the lines checking them and they go around our fence that is under part of their line to avoid scaring the deer.What our power company wants is for the land under the lines to be maintained. We do not own that land but are allowed to use it. The more we take care of it the less trucks and equipment the power company has to bring across our land to get to their lines. They go out of their way to not disturb fields we plant under the lines either.I have not had any problems associated with the high tension lines and our property has natural breaks that prevent people from riding down the power line. The only way to them is thru our access road. I did see one idiot go up one of the wood poles for the high tension lines with a climbing tree stand and sat up there for a few hours hunting. If you are worried at all about what your power company will need to do then ask them. They will be more then happy to talk to you and tell you what they might have to do for upkeep of their lines. They can also help answer some more of your questions.