‘A very big concern’: Second neighborhood SE of Bend pushes back on another Pacific Power transmission line route
(Update: Adding video, comments)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Residents in the Somerset neighborhood southeast of Bend voiced their concerns Wednesday to Pacific Power about the possible installation of a 550-kilovolt power line in their area, the option known as Route A.
"Line A is a very big concern. We all live here. It's all going to be next to us,” said southeast Bend resident Bob Byrtus.
PacifiCorp is considering four possible routes for a new 180-mile transmission line between Powell Butte near Redmond to southern Klamath County.
Last week, in a KTVZ Problem Solvers report, we heard from residents concerned about potential Route B, which would run through another area southeast of Bend, parallel to the Sundance neighborhood.
In both locations, some residents say they are concerned the project could mean a potential loss in property values, among other impacts.
“That's going to affect the whole eastern skyline of the Bend area. You're going to be able to see these things a long ways away,” said area resident Robert Reiten.
Residents are asking the company to reconsider its plans and explore alternative solutions that would not encroach upon their private land.
There was an in-person gathering Wednesday afternoon for area residents to voice their concerns to John Aniello, senior project manager for Pacific Power's Blueprint South transmission line project.
Residents say there’s already a Bonneville Power Administration transmission line in the area. Adding another could mean trouble for property owners.
"They're going to have to acquire some property. There's just no open route through here. I do not want to sell my property. I do not want to move. I think anybody out here does want to move." Reiten said.
They also raised safety concerns about adding another major power line. Some believe Route D, farther east (see map above) would be less disruptive.
"It's harder to fight fires if you're around a bunch of properties," said Byrtus. "Other lines like D are out in the middle of nowhere, not nowhere, but more east of town, where there's not development and would be easier to allocate resources to fight a fire."
Pacific Power declined to speak with the media at Wednesday's event. During the event, the project manager said a final decision is still months away.
As planning continues, Pacific Power says community input will remain a key part of the process.
An open house on the project also was hosted by Pacific Power Wednesday evening at the Redmond Senior Center.
