CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – There’s a proposal to add overhead power lines to supply power to a hospital in Macomb County, but residents in the area are against the idea.
Residents near Hayes Road don’t want to see overhead transmission lines along 19 Mile Road to power Henry Ford Macomb Hospital’s recent expansion.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to see them come in here, no,” said Daniel Callahan, citing health concerns.
He thinks they cause cancer.
Many longtime homeowners told Local 4 their preference is to have the lines redirected away from neighborhoods.
“But there’s nothing you can do about it. When they make up their minds, they make up their minds,” Callahan said.
An alternative plan to have the lines run along Dalcoma Drive near Macomb Community College fell through after the board of trustees unanimously voted against the idea.
ITC Transmission is proposing to extend the Lenox-Stephens 120-kilovolt transmission line about one mile to loop into the Shrine substation in Clinton Township to meet a DTE Energy interconnection request tied to the hospital expansion.
ITC said the overhead option along 19 Mile Road could be energized in roughly six to eight weeks after approvals, while an underground or more complex Dalcoma route could take about a year to 18 months.
“So, they’ve been working off generators at times, as well as at times when the power in the system is adequate for them, DTE has been supplying them power as well,” said Gary Kirsh, ITC’s senior area manager of local government and community affairs.
Residents raised objections at public meetings and a college trustee session, citing potential health concerns, loss of mature landscaping and declines in property values if the line runs overhead through residential areas.
However, ITC is scheduled to hold multiple public meetings for residents where they can ask questions and share their thoughts on the proposals.
The meetings will take place at the following times and locations, and residents are asked to RSVP:
Tuesday, March 24 from 12-7 p.m.
Italian American Cultural Society Banquet Center, 43843 Romeo Plank Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038
Wednesday, March 25 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Havel Elementary School Gym, 41855 Schoenherr Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Thursday, March 26 from 12-7 p.m.
Italian American Cultural Society Banquet Center, 43843 Romeo Plank Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038