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May 4, 2001

Demonstration planned
at stockholder meeting

A group of Goliad and Karnes Counties landowners planned a demonstration at the annual stockholder meeting of American Electric Power, the parent company of Central Power and Light, on April 25 at the Bayfront Plaza Convention Center in Corpus Christi.

According to a news release sent out by Henry A. Miller of Kenedy, a landowner/intervenor challenging the permit application of CPL before the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the purpose of the protest is to bring to the attention of the shareholders three items. Allegations include: 1) CPL is wasting stockholders' money fighting a "futile" battle in the PUC Docket No 21741 matter; 2) CPL has absolutely no concern for the environment in their proposal, proposing to destroy 52 miles of virgin rural land that has not been burdened by a huge power line rather than using an existing right-of-way that could be used; and 3) CPL is proposing to build the line with expensive, lattice-work towers instead of using cost-effective monopole construction.

A statement in the news release reads: "We landowners also seek to point out to all Texans that based on our experience, the Public Utility Commission of Texas is an out-of-control state agency. The Commission in this matter has wasted taxpayer money. The PUC has caused CPL excess expenses, which the rate payers will have to pay. Most hurtful, the PUC has caused small landowners to spend burdensome amounts of their savings and countless stressful hours defending their land from the actions of the combined worst of big business and the worst of big government."

The landowners are seeking a rehearing by the PUC in which the Commission will reverse itself and deny the permit. If unsuccessful, they plan to pursue justice in the courts. If all else fails, the landowner group will seek the most protective easement contract that can be written with a provision asking for an annual payment from CPL.