I am finding out that there are many people in Tooele County that are not aware of the proposed 500 kv lines that Rocky Mountain Power wants to place in our valley.  The project is called the Mona to Oquirrh Transmission line project and it will directly affect property values in our county for years to come. 

The power company’s preferred route comes in west of  Stockton and then splits in to two 345kv lines.  One of the 345 kv lines would continue along the west side of Grantsville between the Grantsville City and the Stansbury range.  The other would run along the south side of Tooele City, crossing directly over Settlement Canyon, along the south and east benches, and across Middle Canyon.  These are not small power lines.  These are larger than any power lines that currently exist in this valley, or in most of the state.  When I asked for someone to give me a description of how large these really are I was told they are like the ones that come off of Hoover Dam in Nevada. 

To install such large lines the power company must complete access roads under all of them.  The bases underneath require a huge area.  If any of you have seen the lines being put in over by Malad, Idaho, on the way to Pocatello, you have an idea of what we are looking at.  The construction of these will scar any area where they are constructed.

The local governments and citizen groups from Tooele County have jointly proposed a different route plan to Rocky Mountain Power.  Rocky Mountain Power seems to be determined to do it their way and not listen to those most affected by their decision.  I ask all Tooele County citizens to join together to support the joint decision made by these groups to place these lines along a route that will have the least amount of impact to our county residents.  Citizens can write letters to the Bureau of Land Management and the Utility Commission voicing support of the citizen proposed route.  If you need additional information on this, please contact me at adcahoon@wirelessbeehive.com .