Counties support new power line for San Luis Valley
ALAMOSA — A proposed $180 million high-voltage transmission line into the San Luis Valley picked up support Tuesday night from the county commissions of San Luis, Rio Grande and Saguache counties.
In testimony at a Colorado Public Utilities Commission hearing, commissioners for each county backed the line, which has drawn criticism from some landowners and conservation groups.
“We are in favor of the transmission line and more solar energy in the valley,” San Luis County Commissioner Darius Allen said.
The line is expected to ensure electricity supplies to power the 3,000 sprinklers used by valley farms.
“If we have the power interrupted, it would be devastating,” Allen said.
Rio Grande County Commissioner Doug Davie said that losing power on a 120-acre sprinkler could curb a potato yield by seven sacks an acre per day, worth about $5,400.
“That’s sizeable for a farmer,” Davie said.
The proposal for the 146-mile transmission line is being made by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and Xcel Energy.
Tri-State executives say the line — from Pueblo to Walsenburg to Alamosa — is needed to provide reliable electricity to the valley, which is served by three lines over Poncha Pass.
Xcel says the line also will help send solar and wind energy to the Front Range.
The proposed line, however, would cross La Veta Pass, and its 150-foot towers would dot pristine valleys and mountains as it passes by Great Sand Dunes National Park.
The line also traverses areas designated by the state as prime areas for wind and solar power.
“The cart has been put before the horse. We are discussing routes before the many alternatives have been researched,” Fort Garland resident Sally Keller said.
Last week, the utilities changed the preferred route after it was found their maps failed to note about 50 homes.
The federal Rural Electric Service, which is financing part of the project, announced it would do a full environmental impact statement of the project.
Initially, the service had planned to do a less-rigorous environmental assessment.
Supporters are confusing the issue, said Chris Canally, director of the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council.
“They haven’t proven the need,” he said.
By Mark Jaffe
The Denver Post
11 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
- Alamosa County calls for more utility lines
- Ritter lines up needs for wind, solar spurt
- Transmission line, route sparks debate
- Battle lines drawn over San Luis Valley electric-transmission plans
- Ranch joins power line opposition; Neighbors along its route into the San Luis Valley are concerned
- Arguments picking up over transmission line
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