Posts Tagged ‘ A Better Way For BPA ’

BPA Drops Routes From SW Wash Power Line Plan

December 21, 2009
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At least some SW Washington property owners can breathe a sigh of relief.

Bonneville Power says it’s eliminated one of the major routes it was looking at for a proposed 500 kilovolt power line in Clark and Cowlitz counties. The route includes segments 27, 31, 42 and 44.

In a press release, BPA says it was looking at these segments because they follow an existing right-of-way owned by Pacific Power. But the right-of-way wasn’t big enough for a 500 kilovolt power line and BPA decided making it wider wasn’t going to work out.

For others in the area, the waiting continues.

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Landowners to BPA: Move That Power Line!

December 14, 2009
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BPA RallyShowing some new found activist muscle, a group of landowners rallied outside the headquarters of Bonneville Power this morning. Calling themselves A Better Way For BPA, the group is trying to influence the route of a proposed high voltage power line in SW Washington.

BPA wants to build a 500 kilovolt power line from Castle Rock, Wash. to Troutdale, Oregon. That a distance of roughly 70 miles. But depending on the route that’s chosen, thousands of landowners could be impacted. Some will be forced from their homes. Others will find themselves living next to 80-150 foot transmission towers.

One of the group leaders, Mike Schmauch, says they’re not trying to stop the power from being built. But they want BPA to keep it as far away as possible from populated areas. Their concerns include the health of people who’ll live near the line, how it will impact threatened and endangered species, and the effect on their property values. They also say BPA hasn’t done enough to keep people informed about the project and are asking for another 60 days for people to comment.

VIDEO: Mike Schmauch talks about where the power line should be located.

What are some of the options?

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