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Alex Cabrero reporting There's no doubt Utah is growing fast. With that comes challenges for transportation, infrastructure, and electricity. Rocky Mountain Power is planning to build a new transmission line right through a small community, and residents aren't too happy about it.
The new line is going from North Ogden all the way to southern Idaho, and it's not a small line. The poles will be the second largest structure Rocky Mountain Power builds. But right in their path is the small city of Willard.
John Stoughton is soaking in his backyard view all he can. "It's really the reason why most people out here moved out here," he said.
Soon, it'll be gone. "The corridor runs right behind all the homes through here," Stoughton explained.
Rocky Mountain Power is set to build a high-voltage transmission line, the type with huge metal structures, right behind his back yard. There's already a small line there, but the power company says it's not enough. "We've used up all the capacity. We have got to provide more capacity," explained Margaret Oler, with Rocky Mountain Power.
Willard Mayor Ryan Tingey understands why Rocky Mountain Power needs a new line. "We've always said the power is necessary," he said.
He's just upset that they won't change the route. "They seem to make all the plans, the alignment, and all the decisions seem to be final before they come to the community and say, is this OK?" Tingey said.
Tingey says it could be built closer to Willard Bay where it won't impact any homes, instead of near the mountains where dozens of homes will be impacted.
One homeowner was actually told to stop building there. Other homes might have to be taken down. "We know there are homes that will be impacted, but as far as a number, we don't know yet," Tingey said.
But Rocky Mountain Power says after studying all options, this one is the best. "This particular route is the best that will serve the needs of bringing power into the area," Oler said.
That's why Mayor Tingey and others are fighting Rocky Mountain Power, hoping to change the path--even though they admit it doesn't look good. "It may be a losing battle, but you have to at least voice your opinion," Stoughton said.
Mayor Tingey says to fight, it will require his city hiring a team to come up with environmental impact statements to try and prove Rocky Mountains data is wrong. He says his city just doesn't have the money to fight, but he's meeting with state officials tomorrow to see what, if anything, can be done.
