The 10-mile line would run from Aberdeen to Red Bank and be completed by 2019 Watch video
Opponents of a 10-mile high-voltage power transmission line that JCP&L wants to build in northern Monmouth County will have one more chance to voice their opinions on Wednesday night.
While the first hearing in January drew more than 1,000 people, only a handful of members of the public were given an opportunity to speak.
Two Jersey Central Power & Light representatives addressed the crowd first followed by several politicians and representatives from groups both in favor of and opposed to the plan.
No one from JCP&L will speak at this evening's hearing, spokesman Ron Morano said Wednesday morning.
JCP&L aims to start work on the $111 million project in August. After this evening's public hearing, a series of evidentiary hearings will be held in April before a judge from the Office of Administrative Law decides whether or not to OK the project
JCP&L says the 230-kilovolt power line, slated to run adjacent to New Jersey Transit's North Jersey Coast Line train tracks through Aberdeen, Hazlet, Holmdel, Middletown and Red Bank, would make electric service more reliable to 214,000 homes and businesses in Monmouth County. JCP&L also asserts it would allow the company to better monitor or more quickly respond to power demands.
The structures will range from 110 feet to 210 feet high, averaging about 140 feet.
The project would create 245 jobs and be finished by June 2019, the utility says.
Opposition group RAGE (Residents Against Giant Electric) claims the proposed power lines are not needed, can cause cancer to people within 2000 yards of it and cause property values in the area to "plummet."
The hearing begins at 5:30 p.m. at Brookdale Community College in the Lincroft section of Middletown.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.