Opposing lines: Owner, groups, utility disagree about placing power lines through Box Creek

Months of debate, studies and discussion about where Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation should build 2.5 miles of power lines have come to a halt: In January, REMC asked for an easement that would let the utility build power lines through Box Creek Wilderness, a 5,100-acre tract east of Asheville that straddles the county line between Rutherford and McDowell. But recently, local groups and the property owner launched a campaign against the request, including a petition, Facebook page and video.