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Plans Released for Power Plant Transmission Lines Near Waterloo, Iowa

Posted on: Friday, 14 April 2006, 21:00 CDT

By RC Balaban, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa

Apr. 14--WATERLOO -- A company proposing a 750-megawatt, coal-fired power plant near Waterloo has released its plans for transmission lines leading from the plant to a new electric substation to be built east of Dunkerton.

Elk Run Energy Associates, an affiliate of LS Power Associates, is proposing a 345,000-volt transmission line which would run from the power plant to the new substation. The substation would be located south of Mount Vernon Road between Nesbit and Wheeler roads.

The transmission lines connect to the power plant which is proposed on a site east of Waterloo along Newell Street. The power plant project, announced late last year, could start construction by late 2007 and could cost up to $1.3 billion.

The proposed transmission lines run around the southern and eastern sides of Dewar, then run along the railroad track before looping around the southern portion of Dunkerton and connecting with the substation.

The company said in its filing that alternatives to the proposed route may be necessary.

Robert Colozza, project manager for LS Power, said the company is required to build the lines at least 100 feet away from any homes that haven't agreed to have the lines located close. The company's current design for the transmission lines makes that issue a moot point.

"To my knowledge, we stay more than 100 feet from any homes," Colozza said.

To build the transmission lines, Elk Run Energy would have to purchase easement rights from landowners. In general, the easement width would be up to 200 feet.

Colozza said under Iowa law, the company is prohibited from entering discussions related to the purchase of easement rights for the transmission lines or substation until a public meeting is held. The company has scheduled a meeting detailing the plans for the transmission lines and substation for 2 p.m. May 11 at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in downtown Waterloo.

At 6 p.m. the same day, LS Power will hold a public information session regarding the project as a whole. Representatives from the Iowa Utilities Board and LS Power will be on hand to answer questions regarding the project.

Elk Run Energy must file with the Iowa Utilities Board to build the transmission line. The company will seek the right of eminent domain, or condemnation, on all land where it could not obtain easement rights from the property owners.

If such a case should occur, the Iowa Utilities Board would handle the case in an open and public process. If the board grants the right of condemnation, Elk Run Energy then petitions the judge of the judicial district for the county involved to appoint a compensation commission, which sets the compensation amount.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa

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Source: Waterloo Courier

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