The Arkansas Public Service Commission will have until June to consider petitions in a case regarding a proposed 56-mile electricity transmission line through Benton and Carroll counties.
On Jan. 17, an administrative law judge with the commission approved proposed Route 109, saying it was the only acceptable route based on residential and “aesthetic” effect. Route 109 goes into Missourifor about 25 miles, skirting just north of the state line.
Since then, both sides in the case have filed petitions.
Southwestern Electric Power Co. asked the commission to reconsider its proposed Route 33, a 49-mile route that would cost the company $6.5 million less to construct.
Save the Ozarks, a group based in Eureka Springs that opposes the power line, asked the commission to deny SWEPCO’s proposal in its entirety, saying the line isnot needed and will cause environmental and economic harm.
The commission filed an order Thursday saying it was granting the two petitions “for the purpose of further consideration.”
John Bethel, executive director of the commission, said it initially had 30 days to consider the petitions. The order Thursday extends that time by another 60 days.
According to SWEPCO’s initial filing with the commission April 3, 2013, “These proposed facilities are intended to meet the additional transmission capacity of the growing north Arkansas and south Missouri area.”
Six towers, each 130 feet to 160 feet high, would be needed every mile to support the 345-kilovolt power line, according to SWEPCO’s proposal. A 150-foot-wide right of way also would be required along the route.
Six routes were initially proposed.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 10 on 04/11/2014