Columbia Utilities Department hosts open house for transmission line proposal project
COLUMBIA — After nearly 20 years of discussions and delays surrounding the transmission line project, the Columbia Utilities Department hosted two open house informational presentations at the Activity & Recreation Center Tuesday afternoon.
Citizens approved a bond referendum in 2015 to help pay for a new transmission line across southwest Columbia. But the City Council at the time put the entire project on hold.
“About ten years ago, the project had actually gone through approval,” said Jason West, department communications and outreach supervisor. “Citizens voted on a bond issue to help pay for it. We had actually begun putting poles in the ground, but then there were enough concerns raised at the time that City Council wanted to pause the project to be able to better answer those concerns.”
Maps were available at the open house showing where transmission lines could potentially be placed.
A flyer also showed a timeline of the proposal dating back to 2007, when the city first identified the need for new transmission lines.
Nearly ten years later, residents at the open house still have many of the same concerns including potential impacts on property values, possible health risks and how close the transmission lines could be to their homes.
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The plan is to connect the lines from east to west, stretching from Perche Creek along Nifong Boulevard to the Grindstone Substation.
City leaders and utility experts were on hand to answer questions and listen to residents’ concerns.
Fifth Ward Council Member Christina Hartman said it is important for her to hear directly from residents.
“Some of the concerns were around the placement, so where the poles are going to be, where the transmission lines will be, what impacts that might have to the people that live and work in the area,” Hartman said. “Some of the concerns were around financing.”
The department is aiming to bring the project back to City Council in November to discuss next steps, including finalizing the design and securing easements.
As of Tuesday, one out of every four people who submitted questions through the city’s Be Heard Transmission Line website had not received a response.