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Pro and Cons of Living Close to Power Lines

Power-line technology is changing. Companies like Telkonet, Plaster Networks and Ambient have been researching advances in power-line technology and usage for years. The goals are to restructure power lines, lower voltage output, increase employment opportunities and decrease associated costs by partnering power-line communication services with Internet-provider services. Using the existing infrastructure and modifying it with improved technology allows power lines near homes to be safer and more efficient for residents.

  1. Impact on Local Economy

    • Power-line construction, maintenance, research and scientific studies provide jobs for local residents. They improve the economy because businesses and residents depend on electricity to function. Power-line construction requires city planners to work with architects and engineers to determine how to supply electricity to the community. Modern technology has made it possible to limit visible intrusion of power lines and to use power-line transmitters that fit environmental conditions, taking into account weather conditions, appearance, soil composition and height.

    Health Concerns

    • Reports are mixed regarding health concerns related to power lines. Some people adamantly declare that living near power lines causes cancer. Others refute the charges. According to World Health Organization, “The electronic currents induced by ELF fields commonly found in our environment are normally much lower than the strongest electric currents naturally occurring in the body such as those that control the beating of the heart.” It goes on to say, “There is no consistent evidence that exposure to ELF fields experienced in our living environment causes direct damage to biological molecules, including DNA." Conclusive studies show mixed results proving or disproving the relationship between exposure to electromagnetic fields and much of their data was limited. According to Daniel Wartenberg, “Because of the limited number of original epidemiologic studies conducted in this field to date and the close scrutiny the field is under, there is little controversy over the identification of studies potentially available for meta-analysis.” It appears there are limited studies confirming or denying the relationship between living near power lines and possible health risks. However, World Health Organization studies do not substantiate health risk claims.

    Environmental Effect

    • Power lines generate electricity, making them naturally hazardous under certain conditions. Strong storms cause them to send currents throughout their surroundings, impacting the habitats of wildlife living in their midst. Large grids of transmitters require acres of land, creating unsightly structures on the landscape they destroy. Power boxes take up space on home owners' land, disrupting home improvement projects and property values. Energy employees wander through private land collecting energy usage data for their records and billing. High voltage buzzes infiltrate the air, distracting from the peaceful quiet. Without power lines city lights would not exist and the world would be a much different place to live in. With them, pros and cons continue to be debated about their safety and intrusiveness.

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