Prairie Public Broadcasting

Power company seeks rehearing of Daniel Boone power line ASHLAND, KY (WOUB) - East Kentucky Power is asking the state for another opportunity to argue for its proposed 4.8 mile power line crossing undisturbed Daniel Boone National Forest.

The power company says the line remains the best option, and the best way to prevent blackouts.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission decided August 19 that while the 138-kilovolt line is needed to provide reliable service. The commission says the not-for-profit power cooperative should consider a route along an existing right of way instead.

The company filed a request for a rehearing on September 12, arguing that the state's denial imposes unnecessarily higher costs on users to develop another route, which risks cascading blackouts.

Environmentalist Doug Doerrfeld and groups such as Kentucky Heartwood have opposed an East Kentucky Power line through Big Perry, as the section of national forest is known, since it sought a forest service permit several years ago.

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