Resident backs county's decision on Transource, urges solar and tighter bus security

Valerie Jordan, identifying herself with SAFAL during the public comment period, told the Franklin County Board of Commissioners that she supported the board's decision to stop the county's lawsuit related to Transource. "You made the right decision to stop whatever lawsuit you had going on with Transource," Jordan said.

Jordan described visiting Henry Lane to view existing transmission infrastructure and quoted information she found online about PJM Interconnection"This regional transmission organization pulls power from 13 state grid footprint[s]," she said, listing states and arguing that interconnectivity affects how power reaches local customers. She also urged local property owners and farmers to consider solar, saying it "puts less stress on the grid" and noting that she has seen more homes installing solar to save money.

Jordan told the board she believes "70% of the landowners have already signed on with Transource" and suggested remaining owners face the prospect of eminent domain if they do not agree, remarks she presented from her research and observations. She also said she did not expect opponents to prevail at the Public Utility Commission hearing.

Jordan raised a separate concern about thefts of catalytic converters from county-run Rabbit minibuses and asked whether the county planned to install a fence to secure the vehicles. Carrie Kenny of Human Resources replied, "Yes, I believe staff is in communication with Rabbit staff to put the buses in a more secure location," and added that Rabbit already has some cameras at the facility following prior thefts.

The comments were made during the designated public comment period; no formal board action on Transource or the PJM issues was taken at the meeting.