Neighbors Worried That Power Substation Is Making Them Sick

You may not be able to fight City Hall but one neighborhood in Kirkland is determined to fight the power company. Families there are worried a new Puget Sound Energy substation is a huge health hazard making their loved ones very sick.

You don't see this everyday in this Juanita neighborhood Sebastian Freeman playing outside. His father Troy is terrified of electromagnetic fields that may be coming from the PSE substation next door.

"The danger is real perceived or even probable it's enough to scare me," said Freeman.

All of our electronics emit EMF but folks here say it's like living next to a 40 foot microwave oven that never shuts off. Troy beat death once now he feels like he's fighting it again.

"It could be causing the Leukemia to come back, could manifest in my 2 year old son," said Freeman.

Despite neighbors' objections the City of Kirkland gave PSE permission to build the power station near the original one just down the street. Only this one is bigger and closer, so close that vibrations from the construction of it caused cracks in people's walls and foundations. It happened in Patrick McClusky's home.

"Mine is somewhere 20 to $30,000 worth of damage," said McClusky.

PSE says it's working with homeowners on repairs but that doesn't make them feel any better about their health.

Even though PSE put up a big wall to shield the substation all of that EMF is still flowing into their yards and homes and that has Michelle McClusky very concerned.

"I don't want to destroy my health because of something someone else is doing to me," said McClusky.

Martha Monfried with Puget Sound Energy says its studies show neighbors have nothing to worry about.

"There is some exposure there's never been any conclusive evidence that it causes any harm," said Monfried.

Neighbor Kevin Corbett says the homeowners have consulted their own scientists.

"When we have independent people come to our homes they hold up a meter it says 24 at the fence here, 8 and a half on my side, they go that's not safe at all," said Corbett.

That's why Troy Freeman and his wife Carolina wish they could move.

"I'd like to pick up and leave if I could I just can't afford to," said Freeman.

The homeowners say they're not looking to get rich from this they just want some help from PSE, like having the power company buy their homes so they can move. Puget Sound Energy Officials say as for now that doesn't seem likely.