PUEBLO — Pueblo County Commissioners approved the proposed transmission line towers between Pueblo West and Fremont County during a Thursday meeting after delaying conversations in August for more information.
Commissioners postponed conversations last month when they asked for more time to collect facts and legal advice relating to the project.
Black Hills Energy is proposing running 39 miles of power lines from Pueblo West to Cañon City in a project called the Cañon West Reliability Project in order to meet power demand and lower costs for customers.
CONTROVERSIAL TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT PASSES: The Pueblo County Commissioners unanimously pass for Black Hills Energy to start its reliability upgrade in Pueblo West. There will be conditions like undergrounding the line, and mitigating damage to environment. @KOAA pic.twitter.com/bijFgNFqzf
— Carl Winder KOAA (@CWinderKOAA) September 10, 2020
The plan includes transmission lines between three new substations in Pueblo West, Penrose, and Cañon City. The stretch through Pueblo West is a little more than two miles north of Highway 50. Between 60-80 poles would be put across Pueblo West to reach Fremont County.
Alternatively, the company is open to installing underground transmission lines. However, officials warn that will cost more money and will impact customers due to the potential $5 million dollar additional price tag. Back in 2018, the company stated running the line underground is not common in the area and is not something the company does.
For a full breakdown of last month's commissioner meeting, click here.
Members of the Pueblo West community have raised concerns about the impact on the environment and local wildlife. They also don't want 75-foot tall power poles blocking their views or dropping their property values.
