State board rules power lines must be built in Tooele

TOOELE — Tooele County residents have lost a yearlong battle against Rocky Mountain Power.

A state board has ordered the county to allow high-power transmission lines through the rural county, a project residents and local leaders have been heavily protesting.

In a 36-page decision, the state Utility Facility Review Board ruled in favor of Rocky Mountain Power, saying the proposed line between Mona and Oquirrh "is needed to provide safe, reliable, adequate and efficient service to its customers."

The line, known as the Mona to Oquirrh Transmission Corridor, is 100 miles of high-power lines that would start at Mona in Juab County and fork off to West Jordan and Salt Lake City through Tooele County.

Rocky Mountain Power says the line is essential to serve the Beehive State, which the company defines as a "critical load area," since it is growing so rapidly.

Both the Tooele Planning Commission and County Commission denied Rocky Mountain Power a permit to construct the lines in March. Rocky Mountain Power then appealed to the state-mediated Utility Facility Review Board.

The board heard testimony from the power company, county and residents over a three-day hearing in May.

Tooele County now must issue a conditional use permit for the line within 60 days. The county can make a written appeal in the next 20 days.

e-mail: astowell@desnews.com