Dear Editor,
As a homeowner of 18 years in Marfa, I am writing to voice my opposition to the electrical substation that is being proposed by AEP on the corner of E. Oak and N. Aparejo streets.
I recently did an automobile trip across Texas, and I saw several substations that were in place for small towns and not one that I saw was located within a residential neighborhood. There are reasons for this.
There are potential safety risks including electrocution hazards as well as fire and explosions. Not to mention the environmental and aesthetic concerns with noise pollution (transformers and cooling equipment can create humming and or buzzing noises). This can be disruptive to residents, especially at night. The visual impact would certainly detract from the aesthetic of the neighborhood creating a negative impact on property values.
Another potential concern is that electrical substations emit electromagnetic fields which can potentially be an adverse health risk to residents living near the substation.
I urge the city council members, mayor and all city officials to reject the proposal from AEP for this substation addition!
Thank you,
Martha Gannon