Neighbors oppose substation

Residents of an agricultural subdivision located about 15 miles northwest of Cedar City are angry that Rocky Mountain Power is planning to build a power substation near their homes.

"This is a major industrial facility that does not belong in a residential area," said Carol Pratt, who owns 20 acres near the Three Peaks Recreation area. "We have been to two Iron County Planning Commission meetings, and it's very discouraging."

Rocky Mountain Power sought and received a conditional-use permit Sept. 7 to build the substation on a 40-acre parcel in the rural area.

Residents have opposed the project since first learning of it in August and plan to appeal the conditional-use permit 11 a.m. Monday during the Iron County Commission meeting in Parowan.

RMP spokeswoman Margaret Oler said on Friday the company intends to move forward with its plans.

"We understand that people have concerns when we site any electrical facility," Oler said, adding RMP representatives will be at the County Commission meeting in an effort to clarify the conditional-use permit. "But the reality is that Iron County continues to grow in all areas, and if we don't increase electrical facilities that deliver the power, then there is a possibility there could be shortages in the future."

The substation would be constructed on about 18 acres on the far west side of the company's property, with a buffer zone of 19 acres surrounding the facility, Oler said.

"This substation needs to be in place for the summer 2009 peak load season," she said. "We researched the sites available that would accommodate the electrical needs of Iron County and this is the preferred site within the target area."

Pratt said the substation would reduce property values in the area, create a fire hazard and be a health risk.

"We're trying to convince the county commissioners that Rocky Mountain Power really ought to rethink this," she said. "They can't mitigate the effects, and the commission should deny the conditional-use permit."

Iron County Commissioner Wayne Smith said he is willing to listen to residents' concerns, but that may be all that happens during Monday's meeting.

"I went out to the site by myself this morning, just to look around," Smith said Saturday. "It's kind of one of those things where it doesn't matter where you put it, nobody's going to want it."

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com