A growing group of concerned citizens known as ISTOP (Islanders for the Safe Transmission of Power) will be submitting a petition on the steps of the Legislature on Tuesday, May 13 at 6:45 pm. The petition containing the names of hundreds of concerned islanders who fear for their health if the proposed transmission line is approved from the Howlan substation to Sherbrooke, will be presented to the Minister of the Environment and Energy George Webster at that time.

Gordon Ramsay, a member of the group is urging anyone who shares their concern to join them in Charlottetown to show their support. The concern originally championed by the Howlan and Locke Road Concerned Citizens group, has expanded to include residents from West Devon, Harmony, Victoria West, Miscouche, Wellington, Decker Road and Enmore. Residents of Tignish are also demanding changes in the legislation that regulates the transmission of power.

Mr Ramsay said the people are being educated about the side effects of electrical transmission and they are receiving many calls from people wanting to have their homes tested for the quality of the electricity coming into their homers, the electro magnetic field and electric field on their property.

“People are looking to see what they can do to make their homes safer for their families,” he said.

The petition states: “We believe electromagnetic field presents a danger to our health and to our environment. We the undersigned ask the government to legislate a buffer zone of 450 feet between transmission lines and homes. We also request this includes playgrounds, parks, schools, the Confederation Trail/areas that are considered sensitive.”

The petition is the third one presented to the government on this issue. This petition was started at a meeting held in Miscouche on April 21 on the topic of electromagnetic field and the health risks for those living near the transmission lines.

There has been a ground swell of concern in recent weeks and Mr Ramsay predicts this is just the beginning. He said they want to get the petition to the government before this session is over. “If it doesn’t go through this time, we will be back,” he promised.