Subject: Publicity/EMF's & Powerlines (Mueller)
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 052608 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Roy L. Beavers" <rbeavers@llion.org>
To: emfguru <rbeavers@llion.org>
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......This valiant fight against the bullying tactics of NSP
(Northern States Power) has been ongoing for -- what -- about 20
years now ... in Minnesota?? One of the worst consequences of
having so many (of your customer's) $$$$$$$ to squander in these fights
is that it makes it easier to "bully" the public ... rather than deal
openly and honestly with the problem..... The NSP "fight" has been
a perfect example of such.....
Thanks, Joanne, for your very complete report..... Would like to hear
from some of the other folks in Minnesota about this.....
Roy Beavers (EMFguru)......
rbeavers@llion.org.......
.....It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.....
EMF-L web-site can be found at:
EMF-L archives can be found at:
..................PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROFITS..................
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 01:55:02 EDT
From: JCMPelican@aol.com
To: "Roy L. Beavers"
Subject: Publicity/EMF's & Powerlines
Hi Roy - The Focus 5 portion of our local Channel 5 (ABC) News featured
up to a 5 minute report tonight. The two anchors were Randy Meier and Julie
Nelson and the field reporter was Bonita Sawkar (sp?).
The report began with mention of the fight between farmers and power
companies 20 years ago over concerns for livestock. It went on to feature
concerns of a Sophie Voigt of Souith St. Paul regarding six miscarriages she
suffered 30 years ago. She and her husband have lived in their home (which
is a few feet from a powerline) for 44 yrs. Mrs. Voigt stated "we can't
prove they are responsible but I do not believe they can prove they are not
harmful."
A shot of someone dialing a phone to an NSP recording was shown with comment
(by someone) that "NSP has attempted to answer." Part of the recording was
"....no one knows for certain."
There was reference to fact that powerlines are becoming a common sight
around the Twin Cities and some believe they may be causing health problems.
This report focused on the southeast metro's new powerline project.
There was a shot of a neighborhood showing tall wooden towers (obviously high
voltage transmission lines)..
Ellen and Joe Turenne of South St. Paul were shown outside their home which
is very close to a tower. Ellen stated they had suffered a miscarriage and
believe it was caused by being so close to the lines and that they weren't
going to try anymore. Joe stated something to effect that he believes
people who are exposed for long periods of time are being affected. Ellen
talked about people in the neighborhood some of whom have moved away and that
it upset her to hear about people dying from cancer, miscarriages and heart
problems.
Believe it was Joe Turenne who stated they want the lines buried or moved to
the south to run along Interstate 494; however, there is a whole group of
people involved.
Jim Alders, Regulatory Project Mgr. for NSP stated the upgrade is absolutely
necessary. He said if a key piece of equipment fails, the rest of the
system can fall apart. He said the upgrade will benefit everyone in the
southeast metro area.
A picture of the NIEH RAPID Report cover was shown while the reporter waas
saying "the scientific evidence is weak with the exception of childhood
leukemia..."
Epidemiologic expert Dr. Les Robison (University of Minnesota Cancer Center)
talked about need for a more detailed study to find out if the people of the
South St. Paul area are affected more than others or whether there are other
possible explanations. It was also mentioned that he was involved in the
RAPID Study. He was featured twice during the segment.
Cities other than South St. Paul that were mentioned are Sunfish Lake,
Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights and Bloomington. A Southeast
Residents' Task Force registered a formal complaint with "the City" (I am
assuming they meant South St. Paul but don't know). They have asked city
leaders to force Norhern States Power (NSP) to pass ordinances (or an
ordinance) to bury their transmission line. The Public Utilities Commission
will decide in August "how to address the concerns." NSP "needs" to
construct the (upgraded) line before the end of the year."
Just noticed Dr. Robison mentioned reproductive problems and birth defects
have been proved to be unrelated (or words to that effect).
To the demands that the line be buried in the ground or moved south to go
along I-494, one of the reporters/anchors stated "...two expensive solutions
for NSP."
#
# # # # # #
This is as close to verbatim as I could come and believe the quotes are
accurate. Other statements are from notes I transcribed as best I could
along with memory. Of course, I have countless "feelings" in regard to all
of the comments but for now, must "let it go" and you and others know what a
lot of them are........ I have recorded the segment and plan to see if I
can obtain a written transcript soon.
Take care everyone!! Joanne - Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA)
Archive provided courtesy of WaveGuide, http://www.wave-guide.org
Reprinted with permission of Roy Beavers, http://www.feb.se/EMF-L/EMF-L.html