Residents tell Morgan County officials AES transmission-line route would harm homes and health; commissioners say authority is limited

Two residents of Rob Hill Road used the public-comment period of the May 18 Morgan County meeting to urge officials to oppose a proposed AES transmission-line route that would cross near multiple homes.

Will Ratz, who identified his address on Rob Hill Road, told the board the lines are "cancer causing" and said he is concerned for young children who live near the planned route. Kelly Matthews, a neighbor, said the route would pass over dozens of homes, cut trees and harm crops and livestock, and cited concerns about Wi‑Fi and electronics interference as well as depressed property values. Matthews said one nearby household includes an autistic child. "We didn't move out to the country to be living next to a power station," she said.

No AES representatives were present to take questions at the meeting. Commissioners responded that county statutory authority over transmission routing is limited and the county cannot unilaterally block the project. The chair said the county can, however, add its voice to request routing along corridors that minimize impacts and can notify state-level officials. The chair said staff had received multiple calls on the project and that the county previously asked utilities to include county officials in planning discussions; the board urged AES to consider less‑impactful corridors.

The board did not take formal action on the project during the meeting; residents were told staff could submit comments and seek engagement with the utility and state representatives.