By Larry MeyerArgus Observer, August 31, 2009
ONTARIO — Idaho Power Thursday presented the criteria a group of citizen advisory teams will use when they make their final recommendations on a proposed transmission power line that cuts across a large segment of Oregon to Idaho.The company delivered the information during the meeting that attracted an ample number of people from across the region.
Some people at the meeting, though, conceded most of the information furnished by the firm was already well known.“There is a little bit of new information, but otherwise, it’s old hat,” Matt Ure, rural Nyssa resident, said. . .
Based on community concerns and suggestions identified by the South Project Advisory Team, which includes representatives from Malheur County and Idaho, placement opportunities identified are existing energy corridors, public lands and transportation and rail corridors. . .
The teams will start the mapping process in September, Lynette Berriochoa, Idaho Power spokesperson, said.“There will be another round of public meetings,” Berriochoa said.The public should contact members of the advisory team or the company if they have ideas about siting, Berriochoa said.
“We really value the input of the team members. she said. “They know the land. We appreciate their time.”
Idaho Power would like to complete the community advisory team process by the end of the year but will continue it if the teams have not wrapped up their work, Kent McCarthy, manager of the community advisory process, said. . .
For Ure, key questions are where, exactly, the company wants to place the power line and whether the advisory process has been worthwhile.
The same sentiments were expressed by Evelyn Sayers, rural Ontario, who is a member of the South Community Advisory Team.
“I’m still waiting to see if Idaho Power will pay attention to the route we propose. Then I will know if its been a waste of time or has been useful,” Sayers said. Jean Findley, one of the co-chairs of the Stop Idaho Power, a local, grass-roots group opposed to the placement of the power line on prime agriculture land, agreed the meeting was mainly informational and benefited people who were not familiar with the project. . .
“How will it be decided which routes will be used for analysis?” she wondered. She asked Idaho Power representatives if the company includes its own proposals, and they were noncommittal, she said.
