Grant PUD gathers input on proposed transmission line

MOSES LAKE - Grant County PUD officials held their first of two public meetings Thursday to provide details and gather public comment on a proposed transmission line.

The proposed 115 kilovolts transmission line will connect Rocky Ford Substation with either Dover Substation, located on Patton Boulevard, or Larson Substation, located on Road 7 Northeast in Moses Lake.

Three potential routes were selected based on feasibility and social and environmental impacts. PUD will determine the final route after their second open house meeting.

Project manager Randall Kono said it is important for the utility to hear from the public before making a final decision.

"All three are technically feasible and will meet the requirements to deliver power from point A to point B," said Kono.

However, Kono said landowners along either of the three proposed routes might have concerns about the project.

"And that's what we're here to do, to hear concerns and give everybody who could be affected a chance to comment," he said.

The North Route alternative is just over 14 miles long and has the benefit of being away from community gathering spots, according to PUD documents.

But the North Route alternative could affect wetlands and floodplains and it is within a constrained corridor.

The district's state Route 17 alternative is almost nine miles long, and will run along the north side of state Route 17. According to the utility, the line will limit impacts to real estate, farming and ranching and fish and wildlife resources.

However, the transmission line may be visible from state Route 17 and may affect various residential areas near Nepple Road.

The last route, the Cross Country alternative, is 10 miles long. It will be less visible from state Route 17 and will have less real estate impacts, according to the utility.

The Cross Country alternative will affect fish and wildlife resources and does not result in expansion of distribution. The proposed alternative may also affect Nepple Road residents.

Kono said the proposed transmission line is a much-needed project for the utility.

"The area is growing, and as an area grows we are mandated to provide a level of service and transmission capacity to meet customer needs," said Kono.

Voltage stability and system reliability will be improved with the proposed transmission line, according to the PUD. The new line will also alleviate capacity limitations and support increasing demand for energy in the area.

Kono said construction on the transmission line is expected to begin in 2014.

The second public workshop is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the utility's Moses Lake office located at 312 W. Third Ave.