Public wants say on big transmission lines

In response to the public's demand to be heard, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is proposing an ordinance that creates a public process for the routing of major transmission lines. Under the proposal, the public would have the opportunity to engage in a public review for future large-scale utility routes in the Borough. The utility would be required to present alternative routes and meet design standards that would help mitigate adverse effects. Many MAT-SU residents asked the Borough to establish such a public review process after discovering last winter that 90-foot electrical towers were going up near their neighborhoods and across popular hiking grounds without regard for public opinion or location n. Assemblywoman Lynne Woods represents District 1, including the Butte and Sutton. "It seems to me, residents feel they don't have a say. This attempts to give them a voice before the line goes in," Woods said. The ordinance would cover only large-scale transmission lines. The ordinance would not affect residential distribution lines, the smaller lines, which typically connect to a home. Under the proposed ordinance, only the larger utility transmission or trunk lines would require a public process. The utility would have to provide at least two alternative routes. Ultimately, the Planning Commission would review the routes and select a preferred route after weighing considerations for all parties involved, including: the applicant's need to serve present and future customers, the cost, the adverse effects on property and the public, as well as the burdens and benefits to be received. Planning Director Murph O'Brien said the ordinance establishes a public process and requires an analysis of alternatives. "It's similar to the due diligence that is needed to construct new or expanded highways," O'Brien said. "When you're talking a 100-foot-plus-wide right of way for these transmission lines, there's a significant potential impact to neighborhoods. "MAT-SU resident Greg Bill said he knows this all too well. Bill and his neighbors banded together last year to oppose an electric transmission line from routing through a scenic greenbelt near Trunk Road and the popular hiking trails at Crevasse Moraine. Although the final route does not please him, Bill said the opportunity for residents to be heard is essential to a good project. "At least if those measures are in place it will slow down the process so reason can be applied," Bill said. "Granted not everyone will be happy, but a person can feel better about the fact that they, at least, had a say; and that the utility was required to follow a public process and do it right the first time, not just the utility's way because of bullheadedness. "Borough Manager John Duffy said public reviews of large infrastructure are carried out across the country. "Some of these are major public infrastructure investments," Duffy said. "Since the public owns them, it has the right to be involved. "The proposed ordinance requires action by the Borough Planning Commission and approval of the Borough Assembly. "We have been asked to do this by the citizens of the MAT-SU Borough," Duffy said. "Since the citizens are also the rate payers of the utilities, I hope the utilities will see the benefit of this process. "The draft ordinance is open to public review. Please send in comments by the deadline, Feb. 15. A copy of the draft ordinance is on the Borough webpage under planning and "public review documents. "For more information contact Planning Director Murph O'Brien at 745-9850 or Borough Manager John Duffy at 745-9689.

Under the proposal, the public would have the opportunity to engage in a public review for future large-scale utility routes in the Borough. The utility would be required to present alternative routes and meet design standards that would help mitigate adverse effects. Many Mat-Su residents asked the Borough to establish such a public review process after discovering last winter that 90-foot electrical towers were going up near their neighborhoods and across popular hiking grounds without regard for public opinion or location n. Assemblywoman Lynne Woods represents District 1, including the Butte and Sutton. "It seems to me, residents feel they don't have a say. This attempts to give them a voice before the line goes in," Woods said. The ordinance would cover only large-scale transmission lines. The ordinance would not affect residential distribution lines, the smaller lines, which typically connect to a home. Under the proposed ordinance, only the larger utility transmission or trunk lines would require a public process. The utility would have to provide at least two alternative routes.

Ultimately, the Planning Commission would review the routes and select a preferred route after weighing considerations for all parties involved, including: the applicant's need to serve present and future customers, the cost, the adverse effects on property and the public, as well as the burdens and benefits to be received. Planning Director Murph O'Brien said the ordinance establishes a public process and requires an analysis of alternatives. "It's similar to the due diligence that is needed to construct new or expanded highways," O'Brien said. "When you're talking a 100-foot-plus-wide right of way for these transmission lines, there's a significant potential impact to neighborhoods. "MAT-SU resident Greg Bill said he knows this all too well. Bill and his neighbors banded together last year to oppose an electric transmission line from routing through a scenic greenbelt near Trunk Road and the popular hiking trails at Crevasse Moraine. Although the final route does not please him, Bill said the opportunity for residents to be heard is essential to a good project. "At least if those measures are in place it will slow down the process so reason can be applied," Bill said. "Granted not everyone will be happy, but a person can feel better about the fact that they, at least, had a say; and that the utility was required to follow a public process and do it right the first time, not just the utility's way because of bullheadedness. "Borough Manager John Duffy said public reviews of large infrastructure are carried out across the country. "Some of these are major public infrastructure investments," Duffy said. "Since the public owns them, it has the right to be involved.

"The proposed ordinance requires action by the Borough Planning Commission and approval of the Borough Assembly. "We have been asked to do this by the citizens of the MAT-SU Borough," Duffy said. "Since the citizens are also the rate payers of the utilities, I hope the utilities will see the benefit of this process. "The draft ordinance is open to public review. Please send in comments by the deadline, Feb. 15. A copy of the draft ordinance is on the Borough webpage under planning and "public review documents.

"For more information contact Planning Director Murph O'Brien at 745-9850 or Borough Manager John Duffy at 745-9689.