East Kentucky Power Cooperative Constructs Power Line Through Hart County Old-Growth Forest Despite Landowner Opposition
East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) has commenced construction of an 11-mile electric transmission line through a 152-acre old-growth forest owned by Lonnie Lee Gibson in Hart County, Kentucky. The land, which has been in Gibson's family since 1908, includes approximately 50 acres of untouched old-growth forest. Despite Gibson's strong opposition and efforts to prevent the project from impacting his land, EKPC utilized its power of eminent domain to acquire an easement. Gibson had offered alternative routes and engaged an attorney, Charles Williams, but EKPC stated that alternative paths would be more expensive to build, requiring Gibson to cover an additional cost of around $100,000. Ultimately, EKPC paid Gibson $35,000 for about 5 acres, at a rate of approximately $7,500 per acre, and began clearing the land in August. The project aims to improve the reliability of electric service for the Cub Run community, which currently relies on a distribution line nearing overload, potentially causing extended o...
