U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2009
Wyden Urges Idaho Power to Find a New Transmission Line Route; Cites Concerns on the Impact of Line on the Agriculture Economy of Eastern Oregon
Portland, OR – Citing concerns about the adverse economic impact of a proposed transmission line through Eastern Oregon, Senator Ron Wyden today asked Idaho Power to work more closely with affected Oregon counties, the State of Oregon and residents to find a route that does not cause a major impact to farm and ranchlands.
“While I certainly agree that there is a need for additional transmission capacity, it appears the current proposal for the routes in Eastern Oregon could have a very adverse impact on farms and ranches, and could create significant difficulties for the agricultural community in the state,” Wyden said in a letter to Idaho Power about its proposed Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project. The proposed line cuts a swath through public and private land in five northeastern Oregon counties.
“I am particularly concerned that a considerable number of people in Malheur and Baker counties in Oregon feel that the siting process has not included sufficient examination of routes that would make less of an impact on their properties,” Wyden wrote.
“People living in areas that will be affected by the project have fears that the routes chosen by Idaho Power will result in significant harm to their farms or ranches,” Wyden wrote. “Many believe that the project will reduce farm acreages, significantly impact irrigation operations, lower property values, and ultimately interfere with their ability to farm.”
Wyden also said there were local concerns that siting the towers along the current proposed routes would require changes in zoning and penalties under Oregon’s farm use laws. “As you must certainly be aware, any loss of farm income during these current economic times would hit these farmers and ranchers and their communities very hard,” Wyden wrote Idaho Power.
You can read the letter to Idaho Power's CEO LaMont Keen HERE
The letter's final paragraph:
"I urge you to work much more closely with these Oregon counties and the Oregon Department of Energy, along with my constituents in Malheur and Baker counties, to find a route that does not cause a major impact to farm and ranchlands. Please contact Wayne Kinney in my Bend office to let me know what steps Idaho Power intends to take to address these concerns."
Send Senator Wyden a Thank You: http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/
Thank you Senator Wyden!
