Coalition formed to change utility condemnation laws

GAINESVILLE - Several groups of people opposed to the land condemnation powers of the state&#39;s utility companies have come together in a unified coaltion to further their fight. <br> <br> The coalition was created at a meeting in Gainesville a few days ago and plans to lobby the state legislature to change state law. <br> <br> &#34;Homeowners Opposed to Powerline Encroachment&#34;, or HOPE, consists of members from Berrien, Forsyth, White, Cobb, and Dawson. <br> <br> Also Rabun, Fulton, and Gwinnett. Groups from seven other counties - Cherokee, DeKalb, Lumpkin, Hall, Habersham, Stephens and Banks - are also expected to join.<br> <br> HOPE seeks the routing of high-voltage powerlines through industrial areas and more state oversight of the rights of landowners who lose property to condemnation by utility companies.