Mark Twain power substation meeting set for Thursday

Residents concerned about the location of a power substation and line Sierra Pacific Power Co. wants to put in Mark Twain will get a second look at maps of the project.

The company will hold an informational meeting from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Mark Twain Fire Station, 500 Sam Clemens Road.

Fay Anderson, spokesman for the power company said the meeting is to help clear up lingering confusion on where the power station and line will be situated.

Resident Tom Zachry said at a meeting of the Storey County Planning Commission on May 17 that maps indicated the line would cross his property. Sierra Pacific officials said the maps needed to be updated and they would not go through Zachry's property.

Anderson said maps showing assessors parcel numbers will be brought to the new meeting to show on whose property the lines will cross.

Also, "it was hard for residents to tell how far the substation was from them, so we've done some aerial maps that will show that it's a half-mile from the nearest home."

The March 17 meeting attracted more than 50 residents of Mark Twain, most of whom opposed the power line out of concern for their property values, and possible noise and unsightliness of the station.

Mark Sullivan, a land-use consultant for the utility, said the strain of growth in Carson City and Lyon County could cause future power outages in Carson City, Dayton and Virginia City if the substation and power line are not built.

Sierra Pacific has filed an eminent domain lawsuit to force the sale of property owned by the Borda family off Territory Road in Mark Twain for the utility.

The utility contends the Bordas are willing sellers, only the price is in dispute, but Borda family Realtor John Gavin disputes that, saying they offered Sierra Pacific an alternate site that the power company rejected.

Gavin said the amount Sierra Pacific offered for the property was $4,000 per acre, with the listed price having been $11,500 per acre. The family sent a letter agreeing to $7,500 per acre only after being told by an attorney that the utility was likely to prevail.

Anderson said negotiations on the sale are ongoing.

The Storey County Planning Commission will meet June 21 to discuss the power line issue in Mark Twain.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.

If you go

WHAT: Sierra Pacific meeting on Mark Twain power station

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Mark Twain Fire Station, 500 Sam Clemens Drive

CALL: (775) 834-3467