02/14/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e e e staff to prepare the public information and to delegate to staff the responsibility for conducting the dissemination of information consistent with State law. The information will be supplemental to the voter's pamphlet issued on the two measures. The City Council will have no involvement in the preparation or dissemination of the information. Roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously 6:0. II. WORK SESSION: BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION TRANSMISSION LINE STUDY Jim Croteau, Planning and Development Department, initiated council.s work session on the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) transmission line by outlining the components of the presentation and noting the high level of public interest in the project. He introduced the BPA project manager, Tom McKinney. Mr. McKinney provided a brief summary of the events leading up to the release of the BPA draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the transmission line study. The project has been an ongoing joint effort between BPA and local agencies to develop a long-range plan for power line siting in the metro area that can be incorporated into local land use plans. Mr. McKinney explained the manner in which BPA customers are served through a series of transmission loops, and he identified the growing need to reinforce the loop in locations within the metro area to ensure reliability. Four alternatives to accomplish this and other long-term improvements in south Eugene have been proposed by BPA and Mr. McKinney acknowledged that each has inherent disadvantages and opposition. Despite growing public concern, BPA considers the project to be worthwhile and is willing to cooperate with local officials in soliciting public input on the most appropriate alternative. Mr. McKinney stated that BPA would like some assurance that once public consensus has been reached, there will be no further opposition to changing the metro area's land use plans. In response to public concerns and requests from local officials, BPA has agreed to defer its public hearings on February 21 and 28, 1990, until the process by which decisions will be made becomes better defined. Mayor Miller expressed appreciation for BPA's cooperative attitude. Ms. Ehrman asked whether service to the population south of Eugene will be considered when determining projected need. Mr. McKinney responded that, based on growth projections, the area south of Eugene will be a significant factor in determining need, and he noted that distant loads served from the Eugene area require the same degree of reliability as those of local customers. At Mr. Holmer's request, he explained that Alternative A (which uses the existing Alvey-Lane corridor to construct a new 13-mile 500-kV line) is generally considered to be the preferred alternative because it may reduce electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and offers the most aesthetic options. Mayor Miller commented that Alternative A would affect the greatest number of people and could jeopardize some of the amenities of an area that residents have been working hard to preserve. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 14, 1990 Page 4