Hoke County landowners protest power line

They are upset over Progress Energy's plans to build a natural-gas-fuel ed power plant in Richmond County to help provide additional electricity for the 25,000 to 30,000 new homes and businesses moving into its service area each year.

In January, Progress Energy notified property owners in southern Hoke County of three proposed routes, widening its possibilities from the two it introduced to residents last year. The latest route would run through more heavily populated areas.

The plan has not been well-received by Hoke County property owners, who are worried about possible health hazards and how the transmission lines would affect their property values.