Rocky Mountain Power announced plans to build a 54-mile transmission line through Iron and Washington Counties.
The transmission line is planned to run from the existing Three Peaks substation near Cedar City to the existing Purgatory Flat substation in Washington City. The estimated voltage is 345 kilovolts.
“By strengthening the transmission network, this project will enhance system resilience, improve operational flexibility and help support the reliable delivery of electricity for communities across southern Utah,” the Rocky Mountain Power website said.
Since there are multiple communities along the proposed route, many residents are worried about potential impacts to their communities, the landscape and environment.
The proposed route includes two-thirds private land and one-third public land.
“The studies have indicated that having these transmission lines over or very close by your property does decrease the property value,” Mayor of Leeds Wayne Peterson, told KUTV 2News. “It also can generate certain side effects that would be undesirable to a homeowner. Some concerns regarding health, also some concerns regarding noise that can come off of this high-voltage transmission.”
Mayor Peterson said that he is still working with Rocky Mountain Power and the cities of Toquerville and Hurricane to establish a better route that affects the least amount of people or wilderness areas.
The project is expected to begin the process in 2028 with engineering, construction in 2031 and completion in 2033.
Rocky Mountain Powers says that about every 500 to 1,000 feet there will be a steel H-frame, monopole and lattice transmission towers. These H-frames range from 80 to 130 feet tall and 150 feet wide.
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Rocky Mountain Power held an open house in Cedar City to discuss the plans and potential impacts with the community.
The next open house is virtual and is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14, beginning at noon. To register for the web open house, visit the PacifiCorp website.
To leave a public comment visit their public comment page or email 3Peaks@PacifiCorp.com.
Author: Lainey Porter
Photo: Abraham Flores
Editor: Charlee Steed
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