ST. GEORGE'S — While Kevin Hines had some strong concerns about Emera Newfoundland and Labrador's plans coming in to an information session for property owners, those concerns were calmed after meeting with company representatives.
Hines had heard of the company's plan to have a two mile right-of-way for the transmission link that runs southwest along the Trans-Canada Highway between Stephenville and Cape Ray.
As an owner of property near where Barachois Brook and the Trans-Canada Highway meet, Hines was concerned a two-mile swath would impact his property. However, when Jeff Myrcik, Emera's senior communications advisor, explained to him that when the transmission line is actually built, the area affected will only be about 60 metres, Hines was much more understanding.
The wider swath is actually just an area set aside to accommodate the transmission line if certain obstacles have to be avoided.
Hines said he attended the meeting held at the Siki Bennett Memorial Arena in St. George's on Wednesday night to make the people from Emera aware of his property.
Myrick said the more people participate in the sessions they are holding, the better. And wants to assure residents there will be plenty more opportunities to voice their opinions.
"The feedback we collect from them (property owners) will help us move forward. We want to meet with property owners and let them know our plans first hand," he said.
Coun. Andy Tobin of St. George's said he has property in the area, but it won't be impacted by the proposed transmission line, which will run parallel to an existing transmission line for less impact to the environment.
"Basically I'm here on behalf of council trying to keep up-to-speed with what's going on with Emera and their plans," he said.
At a session in Cape Ray on Tuesday, Emera said there were12 people in attendance and another meeting the same day in Doyles had 17. Wednesday evening's session in St. George's had just three.
Myrick said from these sessions a database of property owners will be built and other property owners in the area are certainly welcome to contact them with any concerns or to let them know about their property at www.emera.com.
Hines said most people see this transmission line for the opportunity it can bring to the area. He was pleased with the session and while he understands Emera is still working on the study area, it is making it easy for people to understand its proposed plan.
"I'm quite satisfied that this project will be going ahead and that the investors, including the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, will profit from it," he said.
"The key here is that everyone makes a dollar on it as it will create a lot of man years of work."
