Henderson residents voice concerns over plans for substation near their homes

HENDERSON, Tenn. — Thursday evening residents of Jacks Creek Cove and members of Southwest Electric gathered for the final decision on whether to expand or to rezone a substation.

During the June 13 city council meeting, Henderson-Chester County residents and members of Southwest Electric had 10 minutes each to share the impact their decision might hold with the mayor and alderdman.

Residents are concerned of the long-term effects of having this electrical plant in their community.

“Unfortunately these down power lines have actually fallen on top of somebody’s car and the entire family was electrocuted. Kids break into these stations as a form of a dare,” said Lauren Balieus, resident.

Residents have also shared that this location is near two schools, which also raises concerns.

They have shared hundreds of flyers and have gained hundreds of signatures on their petitions.

“We’ve only gotten positive responses. Most people didn’t event know that was even being proposed in the area so just informing them you might want to look into this for yourselves has really prompted the community to band together,” said Lauren.

For Southwest, the cost has been a concern on if the vote is to relocate.

“A substation will end up costing Southwest Electric $6 million dollars. We’ll put two transformers in there and probably put 4 substation breakers to come out and support the community and future,” said Kevin Murphy, president of Southwest Electric.

This is important to Southwest because they say they’re planning for the future.

“So we try to plan for additions that we need right now we’re at that point where we need a second substation and it has the most economical spot for us so that’s why we chose it,” said Murphy.

However, some residents say they are okay with paying more for the coverage Southwest would provide somewhere else.

“Southwest Tennessee Electric has 52,000 subscribers so even if it cost a million dollars to do a different plan or put it somewhere else it comes out to the cost of a year. It comes out to 19 dollars in change a person, if you spread it monthly its like a dollar sixty a month. I’m okay with that you can’t even get a cup of coffee with a buck sixty,” said Jean Balieus.

The decision for the substation to move or stay has been given to another committee to decide on in July.

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