North
Logan approves location for UP&L's power line
By Jen Pulham
February 7, 2005 | NORTH LOGAN -- North
Logan seems to be quickly losing options in a fight
against Utah Power & Light. In the City Council meeting
Thursday, Mayor Val Potter invited Scott Wyatt, attorney
and state representative, to discuss alternatives to
the proposed installation of the 138,000-volt overhead
power line that will cost $1.3 million for a two-mile
distance.
Utah Power & Light has requested a permit to establish
the power line somewhere between 1800 and 2200 North
and 200 and 400 East. Although other locations have
been discussed, Steve Rush of Utah Power said, "We've
made the appropriate decision."
Wyatt seemed in agreement with Rush. "Any other path
may impact fewer homes, but it would still impact some
homes," he said.
Wyatt explained that if the city council chose to
deny Utah Power the permit, one of two things could
happen. First, Utah Power could take their lines in
another direction and send North Logan a bill for the
difference. The more likely option, Wyatt says, is that
"they'd just file a lawsuit," a lawsuit that could easily
take one-and-a-half years or more.
Although this may buy time for citizens of North Logan
to form an appeal of some sort, chances are very slim
that North Logan would win, Wyatt said. "The odds are
that we would lose. Their position would be that this
is a necessary service."
If the council approved the permit, Utah Power would
aim to have the power line installed by June.
Councilwoman Elaine Nelson was opposed to the idea,
and seemed keen on giving the citizens of North Logan
a chance to write an appeal. "To be fair to our residents,"
she said, "should they not have a voice?"
However, Wyatt said an appeal would probably not work
based on the fact that Utah Power has not broken any
laws in their plans for the power line.
When it came time to vote on the permit, three council
members voted in favor of the permit, and one voted
against it.
Councilman Lloyd Berentzen said, "I feel like we're
being put into a corner and have no other alternatives."
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