In a nutshell…Reasons to reroute PacifiCorp’s proposed 230 kV line:

Lack of adherence to important safety guidelines that this line poses

Per industry safety standards, too narrow of an easement to house the amount of voltage

PC’s draft states 100 feet from line is required for human safety yet it runs immediately adjacent to numerous homes

Increased fire danger and decreased ability to purchase homeowners insurance 

Inaccuracy of easement – outdated and irreconcilable survey data discrepancies

Need of PC to encroach on land with no deed in easement 

PC’s need to obtain more land use rights potentially through the use of eminent domain with no plans of conducting alternate route studies

Health risks to children and veterans in particular

Scientific research shows exposure to magnetic fields increases risk of leukemia, breast cancer, brain cancer, and Lou Gehrig’s Disease/ALS

Herbicide use for line maintenance along many people’s watersheds/wells polluting drinking water as well as streams

Certain pacemakers are disrupted by transmission lines; avoidance of high voltage lines is strongly advised

Corona-generated noise when the line is operating

Disrupting environmentally sensitive areas including wetlands and severe soil erosion areas

Clearing of native plant habitats (adverse effects to special-status plant habitat and species)

Permanent loss of general wildlife habitat

Disruption to fish habitat (runoff and sediment delivery to streams and decreased riparian shade along streams)

Decreased property values, leading to loss of property tax revenue

Adverse cultural resource disruptions/intrusion on historic viewsheds

Severely impacted visual resources

Increased traffic and risks of electrocution, fire, toxic material spills, and tree felling during construction

Alternative routes that would not have these impacts already exist both west and east of the proposed line

A good read: https://www.fastexpert.com/blog/should-i-buy-a-house-near-power-lines/

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