High Tension power lines

[weesa20]

Looking at a piece of property that can be had for a steal (2-2500/acre) which is cheap around me (land usually starts at around 10k/acre)...problem is 1) unknown perk status (would be tested before closing and if no perk-no deal) 2) high tension power lines and easment run through proprty and take up about 1/4 of the land. I know folks on the other ends of the property with the same easment hay under the power lines or use it as a pasture, just not sure if it is a good idea or not. any thoughts or experience with this type of situation. If we build the house would be as far away from the lines as possible.


Thanks for any input.

Weesy

 

[High Compression]

I'm no expert, but from my understanding, those high voltage lines put out an electromagnetic field that supposedly has been linked to some cancers in people, and breeding problems etc in livestock.
On the other hand, I know people around here that have similar property, that I hay for them and they haven't had any problems. I guess it might be worth some research in the medical and veterinary fields.

 

[Fixemall]

Many factors to consider around lines...What level are they transmitting?(not all the same) What is the future expansion? How old are they? What company owns the management agreement? Is a "buffer zone" specified? If so, how big?
There is a lot if good and bad information out there...I would hire an attorney that is knowledgeable in the area to look over the existing agreement and any provisions for automatic "amendments" that are in place right now before I made an offer on the land.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm no expert, but from my understanding, those high voltage lines put out an electromagnetic field that supposedly has been linked to some cancers in people, and breeding problems etc in livestock.
On the other hand, I know people around here that have similar property, that I hay for them and they haven't had any problems. I guess it might be worth some research in the medical and veterinary fields.

Most of the high tension line/cancer links have been discounted...however, not all..do some reading on this.

Here's a start:
Danger Overhead - TIME
This study suggests there may be a link to leukemia in children.

 

[jinman]

I'm no expert, but my logic says that if there is not high enough energy to produce x-rays (which rapidly dissipate) or arcing that sends off bursts of RF, then the lines would be safe. Wouldn't there be wildlife developing these problems and wouldn't workers in generating plants have cancer rates over the top? This is just my opinion and not based on any knowledge, but I would far more concerned with easement restrictions than the power lines. If the property is good for what I want to do and a bargain price, I'd go forward with the deal.

I'm a bit more concerned with the notch out of the frontage. It seems that somebody has taken the premo spot and sold it off for a homesite. The affect of that property and how it is maintained will reflect on your property. With such a small frontage, if the notch property ever becomes an eyesore, nobody will want your property because of the looks of the property you don't own. However, if the neigbor keeps their property really nice, that could have a huge benefit to your property. What is it they say? "You pays your money and you takes your chances."

I am curious about the length of the frontage and other dimensions of he tract. Having the powerline easement will give you cleared access at any point along the length so that you don't have to build a road through solid woods. That's surely a plus.

It sounds to me like you are doing a lot of research and also asking for help from folks who have experience. I think you'll find good advice here from TBNers.

 

[homedad]

I have never seen any scientific proof that power lines cause any problems unless you come into contact with them. However, most people believe in things that have no evidence at all. When you consider resale value, you need to consider these (most)people.

 

[charlz]

Does that dirt road the runs along the power lines provide access to other properties? Looks like there i something right under the red 'Power Lines' arrow?

Is it/can you put a fence and gate or does the power line easement prohibit that? I ask because it looks like a prime 'ATV play' spot and not much to stop them from going all over the rest of the property.

 

[riptides]

I live down the road from some. I can't stand them. They buzz and crackle when the weather is not right.

The easement they have allowed them to "upgrade" the lines. What that meant is they built another set of towers 110 feet higher than the originals. They then took down the originals, so now there are two sets. Since they are new, they shine like crazy.

Avoid at all costs.

 

[tallyho8]

I have a 150' high power line easement that crosses near the rear of my property. It is a half mile from my home so I am not too worried about it.

I don't know if there is or is not any danger being around this power line for extended periods of time but I do know one thing: If you take an 8' fluorescent light bulb and stand in the bed of a pick up truck and hold the bulb straight up when you are under the lowest part of the wire, which is still about 10' above the top of the bulb, the bulb will light up.

I guess I could light up this section of my pasture for free if I mounted the bulbs on sticks stuck in the ground, I just can't think of any good reason to do it.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

We have multiple high tension lines running through our property. I have my tower stand right off the edge of one of them. I have hunted around and under them for years. I have pastures, vineyards and crops under them as well. The power company doesn't care and actually prefer us to take care of the ground under the lines so that if they ever needed to work on them they have easy access. They also don't have to worry about trimming trees or cutting under the lines when its kept maintained. The best part of it for us is that its free land for us since it cut through our property but the power company owns it. So we have access to the ground and no taxes with it. The power company comes check the lines every so often but for the most part they are some of the best neighbors you could have as they only show up to make sure everything is ok or to maintain the property.

 

[brin]

We have multiple high tension lines running through our property. I have my tower stand right off the edge of one of them. I have hunted around and under them for years. I have pastures, vineyards and crops under them as well. The power company doesn't care and actually prefer us to take care of the ground under the lines so that if they ever needed to work on them they have easy access. They also don't have to worry about trimming trees or cutting under the lines when its kept maintained. The best part of it for us is that its free land for us since it cut through our property but the power company owns it. So we have access to the ground and no taxes with it. The power company comes check the lines every so often but for the most part they are some of the best neighbors you could have as they only show up to make sure everything is ok or to maintain the property.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[hosspuller]

Looking at the parcel ... If you're going to build a home there, consider the length of power, cable, telephone lines that will be required. Some won't extend their service without a hefty fee. Another issue ... The power company may not allow anything in their easment. A friend had this sort of problem with the power co. in Georgia

Plus to the poster that spoke to the type of transmission lines. Not all are the same. Some buzz & crackle .. others just sit there. All depends on the voltage being used.

 

[schmism]

From experience being at friends houses that were "close" to transmission lines.

they make a TON of noise. buzz is the worst, poping, cracking etc.

There was a dateline show a number of years go about a new subdivision built under some. they could actually go outside in the back yard, hold a 4' T8 florescent bulb in the air and watch it flicker.

Health issues aside.

The power cuts generally bring all sorts to play on them, ATV's, dirt bikes, horses, 4wd trucks etc. None of which i would want running through my property even if it was on the power company easement.

 

[MicroPilot]

Google street view of power lines looking North: 3200 redwood rd, durham, nc - Google Maps

 

[Robert_in_NY]

From experience being at friends houses that were "close" to transmission lines.

they make a TON of noise. buzz is the worst, poping, cracking etc.

There was a dateline show a number of years go about a new subdivision built under some. they could actually go outside in the back yard, hold a 4' T8 florescent bulb in the air and watch it flicker.

Health issues aside.

The power cuts generally bring all sorts to play on them, ATV's, dirt bikes, horses, 4wd trucks etc. None of which i would want running through my property even if it was on the power company easement.

We have had people come walking through the easements hunting but there are enough pastures cutting across the power line row that makes any type of motor vehicle not want to come through. They can't just start at one end and make it all the way down. The power company has multiple access points so they just use the access points.

So I guess we are fortunate in our particular area. I know the rail road tracks get a lot of traffic from atvs and such but the old trolly line that cuts through our property is broken by creeks with no bridges or broken bridges so its not an easy path. About the only people who have trespassed were people who knew us and knew better but were snooping. The worst one was someone who lived a few houses down and was the only one in this area who owned horses, I see horse tracks and confront him and he tried denying it till I mention the tracks then he comes up with a story about his horse coming up lame blah blah blah. Needless to say, he never came on again and sold his house and moved away shortly after. People trespassing to sneak on to hunt have learned to not do that on our property. They never know if our game warden friend is hunting on the property or not :thumbsup:

 

[weesa20]

I actually live not too far from this area- I actually ride my bicycle along this road and have been attacked 3 times by the dog that lives across the street . While waiting for the cops/dog patrol I can't remember hearing the popwer lines. The ATVers are definitely an issue in this area but they will be an issue any where near by, they even come through our devleopment...if you look at the google maps there is actually a motocross area just on the other side of the property and lots of ATV trails.

I too was more worried about the access to the easement and will need to do some more research. I am pretty sure the land that it bumps up to in the back have their easement fenced off and they keep livestock in there. I would worry about the power company needing to get in and not securing the animals or some other issue...and another lot not to far away hays under the lines but I would be afraid of the PC needing to bring in heavy equipment and destroying the hay...lastly they did recently upgrade the power lines by adding another set of lower towers what is there...i think you can actually see them in the google earth view.

thanks for all the thoughts.

weesy

 

[whistlepig]

We lived at a place that had them for thirty years. One tower was 150' from the back porch. Ours had a 150' right of way. Although the line owners would mow it I preferred to do this myself as the power company would scalp right in to the dirt. Occasionally they would top out the trees that grew too close to the lines. They will leave the tree tops lay unless you fussed at them. The towers are are good lightning rods. I have seen lightning hit one. I didn't care for the restriction it put on the land. It made the place difficult to sell because the buyers used the towers as a reason to low ball the price. I was glad to move away from them.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I actually live not too far from this area- I actually ride my bicycle along this road and have been attacked 3 times by the dog that lives across the street . While waiting for the cops/dog patrol I can't remember hearing the popwer lines. The ATVers are definitely an issue in this area but they will be an issue any where near by, they even come through our devleopment...if you look at the google maps there is actually a motocross area just on the other side of the property and lots of ATV trails.

I too was more worried about the access to the easement and will need to do some more research. I am pretty sure the land that it bumps up to in the back have their easement fenced off and they keep livestock in there. I would worry about the power company needing to get in and not securing the animals or some other issue...and another lot not to far away hays under the lines but I would be afraid of the PC needing to bring in heavy equipment and destroying the hay...lastly they did recently upgrade the power lines by adding another set of lower towers what is there...i think you can actually see them in the google earth view.

thanks for all the thoughts.

weesy

I had corn planted under the power line and they brougth their crawler down the row, when the got to the field they drove around the edge of the field to not tear it up. I know each company is different but around here they power company actually appreciates it when the adjoining land owners maintain under the lines as it saves them trouble. They won't cut fences and leave animals run loose, if they need to get through they can get in. We have 9' tall pastures under the powerline and when we talked to the guys coming through about it they said it didn't bother them since they could get into the pastures if needed (via our gate). But the pasture didn't surround any of the towers which is the biggest maintaince item they have here.

Also, I always looked at it like this, if they own the land and you are allowed to use it then who cares if they go through it and leave a rut. Its not your property and any damage would easily be fixed if it mattered.

 

[whistlepig]

We pastured horses under the line. When the power company wanted to do maintenance they would send someone to the house a week prior and make arrangements to enter the property with the least amount of disturbance to the live stock. These guys were professionals and knew what they were doing.

 

[techman]

We have a transmission line about 250' from our house. No noise or any other TV/radio interference. I believe that noise, etc is more prevalent on 500 KV lines. The lines by us are 340 KV. Other than the tower being a bit unsightly, no issues in 25 years. Power company keeps it nicely trimmed. No ill effects from the supposed health risks. Also it is extremely rare for lightning to hit, since the lines are grounded (two small highest wires) which intentionally create a ground field around the wires, to prevent strikes. We get a few strikes a year, but in the woods 500'-1000' beyond the house. Never anything close in 25 years.

paul