Crook County commissioners move forward with supporting Pacific Power proposed transmission line Route D
Tracee Tuesday
(update: adding video)
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The debate surrounding PacifiCorp’s Blueprint South Transmission Line Project, continues.
Crook County Community Development Director Will Van Vactor introduced in Wednesday’s work session a draft letter to the Crook County commissioners in support of Route D.
Even though there has already been push back from residents southeast of Bend surrounding Routes A and B, Crook County sees a way forward with Route D.
Route D is their preferred routing alternative for PacifiCorp’s Blueprint South Transmission Project.
According to the energy services provider and the county commissioners, this project is critical to relieve transmission system constraints and increase capacity for the growing population of Central Oregon, and the needs of the Crook County economy.
Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford told KTVZ News Route D is the best plan moving forward.
“We heard from a lot of different community members because there are multiple routes proposed, and from what we heard from our community members was that Route D was the least invasive in their views and their properties and then their neighborhoods. And so that’s where we wrote a letter in favor of that. Another thing we really like about it is it follows the existing line, and so there’ll be the least amount of impact to the community.”
Central Oregon Community members in southeast Bend, have already voiced their opposition to routes A and B.
“That’s going to affect the whole eastern skyline of, of bend area. You’re going to be able to see these things a long ways away,” said Robert Reiten.
The draft letter supporting Route D has been pushed forward to next Wednesday’s board meeting for a vote.
Commissioner Crawford said he’s confident that the draft letter will be approved.
Once PacifiCorp determines what route they’ll go with, breaking ground on the project won’t begin for a few years.