Posted on Sun, Jul. 02, 2006

North Miami has hired a legal team to fight FPL's plans for high-voltage lines through residential areas of the city, and Mayor Kevin Burns said Gov. Jeb Bush called him to say he `shares our concerns.'

BY TIM HENDERSON
thenderson@MiamiHerald.com

North Miami has hired a Tallahassee law firm to look into legal avenues of fighting FPL's plans to run high-voltage lines through the city's residential areas.

City attorney Lynn Whitfield told the City Council on Tuesday that she expects a report from Nabors Giblin & Nickerson soon. A decision from Florida Power & Light is expected within two weeks on whether to run the lines from Interstate 95 east along 135th Street or 125th and 123rd streets.

Mayor Kevin Burns said he was able to attract the attention of Gov. Jeb Bush, who phoned recently to say he ''shares our concerns,'' Burns said.

''I have to tell you I was shocked when he called my cellphone at 7 o'clock on a Saturday night,'' Burns said.

Residents at Tuesday's meeting said they have health concerns about EMF, or electromagnetic fields, from power lines and electrical appliances.

City Clerk Frank Wolland mentioned a 1996 court case in which former North Miami High School Principal Leonard Glazer sued FPL, claiming EMF from power lines at his Coral Gables homes caused his leukemia. A judge dismissed the case, hearing that most of the measured EMF came from grounded water pipes.

''It came down to a battle of expert testimony and I think FPL just had more money to hire experts,'' Wolland said.

FPL spokeswoman Aletha Player, who attended the meeting, said the link between EMF and disease "is not established.''

The American Cancer Society says ''there is conflicting evidence'' about EMF from high-voltage lines as a risk factor for leukemia, but the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has suggested limiting exposure to EMF when possible. The lines' route has been the subject of controversy since April, when FPL held a series of community meetings in North Miami and neighboring villages to discuss the need to run the high-voltage lines to connect a substation at Northeast 127th Street and 14th Avenue in North Miami, adjacent to the FEC tracks, and a substation at Northwest 93rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, just east of I-95. FPL says the lines are needed because the area's need has grown.

Concrete poles more than 80 feet tall, about twice as high as traditional power poles, would carry the lines.

After the April meetings in which dozens of possible routes were discussed, many residents in Biscayne Park, Miami Shores and El Portal banded together to keep the poles out of their villages.

The City Council's next meeting is scheduled for July 25, but Burns said a special meeting could be called to handle any developments in the FPL case.

http://tinyurl.com/mspp5

JAMES MORGAN

June 21 2006

More than 80% of Scots have fears about living near or under power lines, according to a survey commissioned by the charity Children with Leukaemia.

The study, presented yesterday to a cross-party group of MSPs, found 81% were concerned about possible links between childhood leukaemia and exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF) caused by high-voltage power lines.

Around 67% said they would like planning controls introduced to stop homes being built near power lines, while 37% were in favour of burying existing power lines to reduce the fields emitted. Only 1% of the 365 people polled said nothing needed to be done.

Eddie O'Gorman, chairman of the charity, said: "It's a very clear message for the policymakers in Scotland. Even those people not affected want a moratorium on building where it puts homes and power lines next to each other.

"We have a duty to do everything we can to protect young lives now and in the future."

The charity is calling for an immediate moratorium on building houses or schools near overhead power lines. An early-day motion calling for the government to impose the moratorium has the support of 170 MPs, according to the charity.

Leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer and has claimed the lives of more children in the UK in the last five years than any other disease. The number of new cases is increasing each year.

A study commissioned by the government, due later this summer, is expected to recommend no homes be built within 230ft of high-voltage lines. It is the work of the Stakeholder Advisory Group on Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (Sage), set up in October 2004 following the publication of a report by Dr Gerald Draper, of the Oxford childhood cancer research group.

Dr Draper suggested under-15s living near power lines could have a 69% increased risk of getting leukaemia.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said: "There is no new evidence to suggest a link. The Scottish Executive is represented on Sage. Guidance on the health policy options relevant to electromagnetic fields is also under preparation by the World Health Organisation.

"The Scottish Executive will consider the outcomes of these processes in the development of future policy in this area."

Copyright © 2006 Newsquest (Herald & Times) Limited. All Rights Reserved

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/64436-print.shtml

By Philip Raphael

South Delta Leader
praphael@southdeltaleader

Jun 16 2006

Local residents packed the Coast Tsawwassen Inn Tuesday night and vented their concerns on plans to route upgraded power lines through Tsawwassen.

Roughly 200 listened and many jeered an information summary on an environmental assessment of the project being put before B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office for approval.

The project—proposed by the B.C. Transmission Corporation (BCTC)—to replace aging lines that deliver power via undersea cable from Tsawwassen Beach to Vancouver Island customers could result in continued use an existing right-of-way through Tsawwassen that was established in the 1950s.

Among the route options BCTC has submitted to the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval includes running the new, more powerful lines atop new, higher power poles, or burying the cables along the right-of-way which today has about 176 homes backing on to the area.

Residents are concerned the electro magnetic field (EMF) the lines give off is harmful to their health and want the cables routed away from residential Tsawwassen.

Much of that concern was expressed at Tuesday’s meeting.

“You have the right to the lines going overhead, but you don’t have to right to enter my home with the EMF,” said one woman in an impassioned statement.

She added she fears for the health affects the lines currently have on her young son.

Critics allege links of childhood leukemia with prolonged exposure to high levels of EMF exposure.

The crowd was informed an environmental assessment, commissioned by BCTC, cited a number of benefits to the project, such as reduced visual impact since higher, but slimmer, metal power poles are planned to replace the existing wooden ones.

Other expected benefits included $10 million in provincial and federal sales taxes on electricity in the first year of operation.

Some in the crowd reacted angrily to the list.

One man shouted, “Will there be more money for the hospitals?”

And many in the audience booed and expressed their disbelief when the review’s summary concluded with the statement that overall findings have no long-term changes or affects on the environment.

And that the expected levels of EMF is well below the accepted standard of 833 milligauss.

“You live in our homes then. Want to trade houses? one man yelled from the crowd.

Residents have long been concerned that many critics of EMF exposure have put the accepted level at around three milligaus.

Some in the audience said they have done their own testing and found levels much higher in their homes—around 50 to 60 milligaus—and upwards of 100 miligaus directly under the power lines in their backyards.

And that led some to ask where those conducting the environmental assessment managed to derive average readings that were much lower.

Jack Bulloch, a resident on 53 A Street who has the lines running behind his home, asked if the transmission corporation had any specific security measures in place to guard against vandalism or sabotage to the power poles if new ones are erected along the right of way.

Bulloch said that with such local opposition to the project, what would stop someone from destroying the poles with dynamite or an explosive concoction of fertilizer.

Bruce Barrett, BCTC’s director of major projects responded by saying the power poles are not subject to design criteria that includes destruction by explosives.

Others in the audience questioned why the environmental assessment process was being undertaken now, in advance of a decision by the B.C. Utilities Commission on what route the lines will follow.

Cecil Dunn, a prominent member of TRAHVOL (Tsawwassen Residents Against Higher Voltage Overhead Lines) asked what the transmission corporation would do if the utilities commission came back with a decision that indicated it had done a poor job and should choose another route.

BCTC’s Barrett said if significant changes were called for, it would have to withdraw its route application.

This is the last scheduled opportunity the public has to voice their concerns in person on the project.

The public has until July 27 to return their comments to B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office.

A decision by the utilities commission is expected in the coming weeks.

© Copyright 2006 South Delta Leader

http://www.southdeltaleader.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=48&cat=23&id=670756&more=

Connecticut Legislation re: transmission lines

Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2006 15:12:17 -0400

SEE: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2004/jfr/h/2004HB-05418-R00ET-JFR.htm

New Laws Protecting Children
http://www.cga.ct.gov/COC/Docs/2004%20Leg%20Aff%20Child.doc

H.B. 5418 An Act Concerning Electric Transmission Line Siting Criteria

The law spearheaded by concerned citizens of Woodbridge, acknowledges for the first time the potential health risks of electric magnetic fields ( EMF) caused by electric transmission lines. The bill requires the State Siting Council to establish a buffer zone that protects health and safety when issuing permits for new transmission lines. New sitings of transmission lines must consider residential areas, private and public schools, licensed day care centers and youth camps, and public playgrounds adjacent to the overhead portions of the line. In a sweeping change, the law establishes a presumption that transmission lines of this capacity should be buried underground.


Law Makers Were Listening

http://www.powerlinefacts.com/CT%20lawmakers_were_listening__to_EMF_Concerts.htm

Power line changes passed in House and Senate
Terri Miles, Editor
May 19, 2004

State lawmakers have passed a bill to protect residents in municipalities most affected by the proposed Norwalk-to-Middletown power line upgrade.

The state Senate unanimously approved the bill on May 5, two days after it passed in the House of Representatives, 144-5.

State Sen. Win Smith Jr., (R-Milford) applauded the legislation, which requires new high-voltage power lines to be buried underground.

Smith and State Sen. Len Fasano (R-North Haven, Wallingford) became lead advocates for the legislation after Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating electric companies announced plans to upgrade a 69-mile stretch of power lines from Middletown to Norwalk.

The power companies said they had to upgrade the power lines to handle increased demand. At public hearings in communities all along the route, residents and municipal leaders asked the company representatives to put the power lines underground, rather than overhead as the current power lines run.

United Illuminating Communications Manager, Marcia Wellman said she has been working on the proposal since its inception.

"We certainly understand the legislative scrutiny that this project is receiving," she said. "It's the largest transmission project in more than 30 years. Legislators have to listen to their constituents, and its going to present us with some challenges on the Middletown to Norwalk project."

Smith said the legislation, which he co-authored, addresses the possible negative health consequences of overhead power lines.

"This is a victory for David over Goliath," said Smith. "The power companies hit us with everything but the kitchen sink, including radio attack ads. In the end, we got a unanimous vote out on this. This sends a strong message to the Siting Council and the power companies: bury the lines!

"My constituents, understandably, do not want to find out many years from now that their fears about the harmful effects of overhead transmission lines were well-founded," he said. "If the utility companies believe that they cannot bury the power lines in a particular place along the route, then it is up to them to prove it. Otherwise, this legislation forces them to do the right thing, the responsible thing, and bury the lines.

"No one disputes the need for this project," said Smith. "We all need electricity. We all use electricity. None of us wants to do without electricity. But that power must not come at the expense of our health, or the health of our children. I am proud to have played a part in getting this legislation passed."

State Sen. Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge) said everyone in the Amity delegation recognized the need to take any and all precautions to protect the health of their constituents, especially the children.

"I was impressed with the relentless effort of the 'Save The Children' group in Woodbridge," Crisco said. "I know my colleagues in the legislature will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure that these lines are buried."

State Rep. Themis Klarides (R-Derby, Woodbridge) called the bill an enormous victory.

"The state will now take into account the potentially severe effects of EMF [electro-magnetic fields, which power lines emit]," she said, "This measure represents a strong stand in defense of people's health and safety."

Fasano also saw the bill's passage as "a victory for the people in all the impacted towns."

"Nearly everyone who spoke to me about this legislation expressed concern over the health consequences of the electromagnetic fields," said Fasano. "Nobody knows for sure the long-term impact EMFs could have on our public health.

"That's why we included language requiring lines near schools, day-care facilities, and playgrounds to be placed underground unless [the power companies] can prove it's safe not to," he said. "The [burden] is now on them, which is how it should be."

Wellman said the Siting Council has to determine what a "safe distance" is and where buffer zones should go between power lines and facilities where children are present.

"It will be challenging, because the existing right-of-way, which has been in existence for decades, crosses areas in which communities have built up around," she said. "Communities have put schools, subdivisions, playgrounds and parks near the lines."

About HB 5418

State Rep. James Amann (D-Milford), who is the Democratic House Majority Leader, explained that the bill addresses the concerns many residents have expressed regarding high-voltage power lines traveling over residential areas, schools, daycare facilities and playgrounds.

"I believe that those concerns and fears will be alleviated because of this bill and the safeguards that it provides," Amann said. "When the lines come into contact with these areas they will be buried, and if they cannot be buried, they will have to be a certain distance from those facilities.

"The bill accomplishes our goal - it protects the kids," he said.

Wellman said UI is still in the midst of hearings on the power line issues and will continue to address residents' concerns through July.

"We get a lot of homework assignments and we're trying to work in conjunction with the residents in the communities we serve to come up with a solution that works for everyone, to the best of our ability," she said.

The Connecticut Siting Council expects to vote on the power companies' application in December.

School board fences off transformer, closes halls as precautions against EMFs

May 18, 2006 Serena Willoughby, Staff Writer, The Economist & sun and The Liberal

They’re closing hallways, moving the basketball net and putting up fences at St. Monica Catholic School in Markham, all to protect students from a threat federal and provincial health authorities aren’t sure exists.

An independent test ordered by the York Catholic District School Board found EMF levels as high as 10 milligauss near a transformer at St. Monica.

Some research links prolonged exposure to “dirty electricity” at levels higher than two to leukemia, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and attention deficit disorder.

But other research on EMFs, which are created wherever electricity is generated such as in cellphones, computers and power lines, indicated the link to health problems is unsubstantiated.

The board fenced off the transformer and closed other areas with high EMF readings at St. Monica, although spokesperson Chris Cable wouldn’t speculate on whether similar precautions would be taken at other schools.

“Regardless of whether you believe (the research) or not, we at the board are following a precautionary principle,” Ms Cable said.

Dr. Magda Havas, a professor of Environmental Sciences at Trent University, believes EMFs in schools are a major problem because schools use several kinds of equipment that emit EMFs such as older model computers, fluorescent lighting and public address systems.

DENIED CONNECTION Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of EMFs, she said. But Gloria Rachamin, a toxicologist with the public health division of the Ontario Ministry of Health, denied the connection in a report to York public health, the school board and parents.

“Overall, the scientific evidence does not support casual association between EMF exposure and human health risks,” she said.

“According to Health Canada . . . . there is no conclusive evidence of any harm caused by exposures. at levels normally found in Canadian living and working environments. It further indicates that, at present, there are no Canadian government guidelines for exposure to EMF at extremely low frequencies since the scientific evidence is not strong enough to conclude that typical exposures cause health problems.

http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=481

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Dr. Magda Havas will be interviewed on KPFA radio, MAY 30, 2006, 1:00pm USA Pacific time (Intnl. time zone 8), 4:00 PM USA east coast time (Intnl. time zone 5), etcetera.

TO LISTEN LIVE, go to http://www.kpfa.org/. The show will be available for download from the KPFA archives for just one week after broadcast, at http://www.yourownhealthandfitness.org . May not be posted till the day after broadcast. Keep checking.

EMF & RFR DOWN YOUR THROAT

A report from the Ecological Options Network about an ominous new bill being forced through the senate in California that would preempt all local zoning re. cell tower siting - and an interview with Dr. Magda Havas, B.Sc. Ph.D. Associate Professor, Environmental & Resource Studies, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, an expert on low dose radiation health effects.


Informant: Shivani

May 18, 2006
Serena Willoughby,
Staff Writer


They're closing hallways, moving the basketball net and putting up fences at St. Monica Catholic School in Markham, all to protect students from a threat federal and provincial health authorities aren't sure exists.

An independent test ordered by the York Catholic District School Board found EMF levels as high as 10 milligauss near a transformer at St. Monica.

Some research links prolonged exposure to "dirty electricity" at levels higher than two to leukemia, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and attention deficit disorder.

But other research on EMFs, which are created wherever electricity is generated such as in cellphones, computers and power lines, indicated the link to health problems is unsubstantiated.

The board fenced off the transformer and closed other areas with high EMF readings at St. Monica, although spokesperson Chris Cable wouldn't speculate on whether similar precautions would be taken at other schools.

"Regardless of whether you believe (the research) or not, we at the board are following a precautionary principle," Ms Cable said.

Dr. Magda Havas, a professor of Environmental Sciences at Trent University, believes EMFs in schools are a major problem because schools use several kinds of equipment that emit EMFs such as older model computers, fluorescent lighting and public address systems.

Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of EMFs, she said.

But Gloria Rachamin, a toxicologist with the public health division of the Ontario Ministry of Health, denied the connection in a report to York public health, the school board and parents.

"Overall, the scientific evidence does not support casual association between EMF exposure and human health risks," she said.

"According to Health Canada . . . . there is no conclusive evidence of any harm caused by exposures."

At levels normally found in Canadian living and working environments. It further indicates that, at present, there are no Canadian government guidelines for exposure to EMF at extremely low frequencies since the scientific evidence is not strong enough to conclude that typical exposures cause health problems."

© Copyright York Region Newspaper Group

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Economist_and_Sun/story/3501972p-4046415c.html

Electrosmog -

Radio 4 Today item - 0846hrs -

Scientists studying the health effects of power lines are calling for more research into a phenomenon known as electronic smog. Hear our report.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/listenagain/ram/today5_electricity_20060508.ram

Arthur J

Article published May 7, 2006
By MARY REEVES mreeves@dnj.com

While many Eagleville residents are concerned about the loss of prime farmland or their homes, there are other concerns associated with the potential 500-kilovolt substation TVA plans to build there, especially health concerns.

"Some of the literature ... pointed out that there is an increase in leukemia with power lines," said Lisa Matson of Rockvale. "There is a link between cancer and electromagnetic fields, and my concern is they are going to put this directly behind the school."

Electric and magnetic fields are generated by all sorts of power sources, from nature's thunderstorms to the office photocopier. With man-made power sources, the electrical fields result from the energizing of the wiring, and the magnetic fields result from the flow of power (current) as it serves the load being applied. "EMF" refers to electric and magnetic fields and "ELF" refers to extremely low frequency, the sort found in the transmission power lines.

Since America's use of power surged in the late 1950s, studies have been done on the effects of high voltage lines on the environment, but other than accidental electrocutions, it appears the magnetic fields may be the culprit of the health concerns.

"Although a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established, several expert panels have concluded that higher rates of childhood leukemia are statistically associated with higher levels of magnetic fields in homes," stated a report of the Electric Power Research Institute, which is conducting long-term multidisciplinary EMF research through major universities, laboratories and consulting organizations.

Matson, like many concerned with the proposed substation, had found information about the possible links between childhood leukemia and magnetic fields at http://www.poweroutrage.com , a Web site devoted to fighting the TVA plan.

Findings of the EMF RAPID Program (Electric and Magnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination) completed in 1998 agree that there seems to be a link between proximity to EMF and increased rates of childhood leukemia, and, in adults who work in the electric industry, increased rate of adult CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), which is a different disease.

The EMF RAPID program was conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy. Although it was primarily funded by the government to comply with the Energy Policy Act, it was also funded by utility companies.

The Executive Summary of the EMF RAPID report stated : "The scientific evidence suggesting that ELF-EMF exposures pose any health risk is weak. The strongest evidence for health effects comes from associations observed in human populations with two forms of cancer: childhood leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in occupationally exposed adults."

The problem was, the evidence was epidemiological — that is, it showed an association between magnetic fields and in increase in incidents, but no cause-and-effect relationship could be recreated in the laboratory.

The RAPID report also indicated that "interface from EMF can affect various medical devices, including cardiac pacemakers and implantable defibrillators."

In the summary, the working group of scientists and other experts concluded that "ELF EMF are possibly carcinogenic to humans."

The report stated there was "inadequate evidence" that EMF ELF caused Alzheimer's, ALS, breast cancer, suicide and depression, adverse effects on pregnancies and other health concerns. The study did find, however, that "exposure to electric and magnetic fields affects bone repair and adaptation."

Power substations and powerlines are not the only source for ELF EMF, however. According to lessemf.com, "2.5 mG is the generally accepted limit of ELF magnetic field exposure, but no one tells you that the average hair dryer, vacuum cleaner, or can opener you use emits and amazing 300 mG or more."

Another concern, one voiced the Vaughn family in Eagleville, who produce organically grown animals and crops for human consumption, was the effect the ELF EMF may have on their produce, and on those who consume the produce.

"Nobody's ever really said anything about that," said Pettus Read with the Tennessee Farm Bureau about the effect on plants. "We've had soybean fields and such under these powerlines. We've never had any complaints."

Read said he didn't believe the amount of ELF EMF created at that level would have an adverse affect on the plants, but said he did not know for sure and was not aware of any studies.

"The biggest complaint we've had is losing the farm land," he added.

Roger Sparry, TVA manager of siting and environmental engineer, said that while there has been some epidemiological evidence between the possibility to ELF EMF and some cancers, he, too, had heard of no negative effects on plants.

"I've never heard of any reports of it directly affecting plants," he said.

— Mary Reeves/278-5157

Copyright ©2006 The Daily News Journal.

http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060507/NEWS01/605070335/1002

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Schäden an Bäumen durch Mikrowellen
Dr. Ferdinand Ruzicka (Univ. Doz) has in his web page:

http://www.mikrowellensmog.info/Baeume.html

several pictures with the phone masts effects on the trees

In the page 56 of the article: “Umweltprobleme Luft” from Kathrin Oldag, Anna Glyk, Monique Irrgang (Hanover University) (I send you also) appear plagiarized, without having requested authorization to the Doctor Ruzicka these pictures (in the section corresponding to damages for the ozone!!!!!!).

Years ago already it was tried to accuse the acid rain of the radar effects in the forests of Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

With best regards.

Alfonso Balmori
Spain

See also: The effects of microwaves on the trees and other plants in
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/553793/