RMP & Midway City at Odds

The Utah Utility Facility Review Board has an April 20 hearing For Rocky Mountain Power’s Complaints against Midway City. In December The Midway City Council unanimously approved a joint conditional use permit submitted by Rocky Mountain Power and Heber Light & Power to construct new transmission lines to carry power through the southern portion of Midway. The permit’s approval was conditioned on a few items, the key one being that the lines be buried—if Midway can secure the funds to pay for the additional costs. So far the citizen VOLT organization has been unable to raise the funding required. Now, Rocky Mountain Power is challenging the city’s conditions of approval.One of the main points of contention at the hearing was whether evidence beyond what was presented to Midway City Council will be allowed in the hearing. Midway City attorney Corbin Gordon outlined what he believes Rocky Mountain Power will have to prove and it amounts to more than what RMP would like. Rocky Mountain Power representative Bret Reich says that the key issue of the complaint is the excess costs to bury the lines and Midway’s obligation to pay that difference. The formal hearing is to take place the week of April 20th, with deadlines throughout March for submission of additional evidence and testimony by the entities. Reich also confirmed at the hearing that Rocky Mountain Power will be delivering bids to Midway on schedule in early March.
Illustration credit: VOLT Citizen Group