Official State paperwork: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/052/chapter57/subchapGtoc.html&d=reduce

1st step - prospecting land for transmission lines

• PPL hand delivers or mails a packet stating they are seeking a right-of way

• PPL is essentially "prospecting" before it applies to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC); it will try to get voluntary right-of-way agreements. They may even attempt to buy your whole land (house and all). PPL cannot condemn a building or a house, but they can try to buy it. They may try this before even applying to the PUC. No utility can take your house or the "reasonable curtilage (100 meters)," which is the space around your dwelling unit. 

• Landowners may choose to talk, or to not talk, to Land Agents. 

• Landowners may contact the OCA regarding concerns/their rights about Land Agents 

• If negotiating, it is recommended to have a lawyer or real estate agent help you. Take your time, and consider all the aspects of it.

• Do your research - consider adding future acceptable uses, vegetation management/herbicides, subleasing, and other language in the right-of-way contract

• Share knowledge to help our neighbors to NOT be taken advantage of

• PPL is required by law to give you a 10-day notice to enter your property.

• This is the time to raise concerns: The cost & need for the project, safety & health concerns, effects on the environment & the community, and effects on your individual property. Consider other alternatives.
   

2nd Step - application to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)

• Application must happen first. Then there are proceedings with the PUC that can take months or years before approval is granted.
  An application submitted to the PUC is NOT the same as PUC approval.

• PPL will continue to negotiate with landowners up until there is a final PUC order - whether it is PUC approval, or PUC denial of PPL's application.

• Once PPL has submitted its application to the PUC, PPL will then give the landowners a copy of the file. Landowners will also be notified of PUC’s review of the application submitted by PPL.

• OCA can now get involved in specific transmission line applications.

• There will be public input hearings before judges, where landowners are encouraged to make their case and state their concerns.

• This is the time to really protest.
   

3rd Step - The application is approved OR denied by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)

• Before a public utility can build a line, it must have approval of an application from the PUC.

• If the application is approved, eminent domain will go into effect and the time to negotiate is essentially over.

• If the PUC approves the PPL application and anyone disagrees, you can then appeal to the Commonwealth Court of PA. The Commonwealth Court MUST take up the appeal. If you are not satisfied with that decision, you can file to the State Supreme Court. The Supreme Court does not have to take up your case.

• If the PUC DENIES the application submitted by PPL, then it is over. Landowners keep their land, and the transmission line project is shut down.