Tooele residents boo power-line plan

TOOELE — More than 100 residents crowded an auditorium and overflow space Wednesday night waiting for an opportunity to express concerns about a controversial power line.

Many residents were upset, booing and sometimes shouting at presenters.

Representatives from Rocky Mountain Power and others spoke for more than 2 1/2 hours before any residents were allowed to express their opinions at the Tooele County Planning Commission meeting.

The 100-mile series of high-voltage power lines would run between Mona in Juab County to West Jordan.

The line, however, curves west into Tooele County and would affect several cities, including Tooele, Stockton and Grantsville as well as South Jordan, Eureka and Cedar Fort.

Each local government entity must sign off on a conditional use permit to allow the power lines. The approval from Tooele County is the last one needed before construction on the line can begin.

Residents have expressed concerns about decreased property values, environmental impacts and health risks.

Many have also expressed views that high towers would mar the scenic views in the county.

Rocky Mountain officials say that because of growth, they need to build the lines to provide service to their customers.

The planning commission has 60 days to vote on whether to allow the conditional use permits, and may have to decide before an environmental impact study is completed.

The Bureau of Land Management originally planned to finish the impact statement in January, but now says it's looking at a possible April release date.

— Amelia Nielson-Stowell