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Utah 345 kV Electric Power Line Permit Denied by Willard City on EMF Health and Safety Concerns
Utah 345 kV Electric Power Line Permit Denied by Willard City on EMF Health and Safety Concerns
Published 07-01-09
Submitted by The EMR Policy Institute
MARSHFIELD, VT -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 07/01/09 -- The Willard City, Utah city council has denied Rocky Mountain Power's (RMP) application for a new 345 kV electric power transmission line. The Council's decision is based on the inability to make the necessary findings that public health, safety and general welfare would not be harmed. Willard City land use ordinances require the city to make specific findings on health before approving a project requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).
Every city in the path of the 345 kV line must approve a CUP in order to validate the State Certificate of Convenience and Public Necessity. If even one city denies it, city officials believe that the State certificate cannot be considered issued. Now, other cities along the proposed transmission line corridor are assessing whether the permits they have already issued are extinguished.
"If Willard City approves this CUP, it is almost inevitable that this will increase electromagnetic field (EMF) health risks along the proposed transmission corridor for existing and future residents. The scientific evidence supports denial of RMP's application for a CUP in order to protect the health, safety and general welfare of Willard City's citizens. In fact, approval would appear to be inconsistent with the Willard City's Zoning Ordinance," stated Cindy Sage of Sage Associates, an expert in transmission line impacts.
Ms. Sage provided an independent report and presentation to the Willard City Council that raised questions about the health impacts of the electric and magnetic fields to be emitted by the high-voltage lines.
Willard City Zoning chapter on Conditional Use Permits states:
12-105-6 Determination
"The Planning Commission shall not authorize a conditional use permit unless the evidence presented is such as to establish: 1) that such use will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety or general welfare of persons residing or working in the vicinity, or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity."
Master Planning for Power Committee (MPPC) is a citizens group formed to oppose construction of electrical transmission lines near Salt Lake City on the grounds of possible lower property values, adverse health effects, and aesthetics. The EMR Policy Institute works with groups like MPPC to promote sound local and national siting policy for electric power infrastructure, such as the Willard City Council decision.
