Power line, substation proposed

A proposed power line would run through Storey County, with a substation built at the south end in Mark Twain Estates, but the power would mainly serve Lyon County and Carson City.

But Fay Anderson, spokesman for Sierra Pacific Power Co., said eventually some Storey residents might benefit if growth increases.

"It's for that whole triangle of cities where all the growth is occurring," she said.

The matter will go before the Storey County Planning Commission at its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Six Mile Canyon Fire Station, 500 Sam Clemens Road, Mark Twain.

Storey County Building Director Dean Haymore said the company's application says it's for the growth of Dayton and the growth of Lyon County.

"Storey County isn't going to benefit," he said. "Why aren't they putting it in Lyon County where they're having all the growth?"

Anderson said it isn't unusual for power facilities in one county to benefit another.

"You can't just build facilities to only go in the county in which they serve," she said. "The existing lines that run through here come from Yerington, east of Sparks and serve Carson City, Lyon and Story counties."

She said the power increase will serve 26,000 customers.

The first phase is to build the substation north of Dayton in the proximity of two existing lines, she said, giving a connection point for a 345,000-volt line from the Tracy Power Plant in north Storey County to be built in the second phase. The line will run 100-120 feet above ground, about 20 miles through the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.

Anderson said the substation, a half mile north of Territorial Road, will be visible from some homes but added "it's a long way from the houses."

The property belonged to the Borda family and Sierra Power pursued eminent domain proceedings when the company and the family could not agree on a price, Anderson said.

"They were willing sellers, we're willing buyers, we just need to come to an agreement," she said.

She said Sierra Pacific officials have photo simulations taken from the nearest homes to show at the meeting.

She described the substation as consisting of poles with a chain-link fence around it.

"It's not a solid structure," she said. "It's not like they're going to look at a brick building."

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

If you go

WHAT: Storey County Planning Commission meeting

WHEN: 5 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Six Mile Canyon Fire Station, 500 Sam Clemens Road, Mark Twain

CALL: (775) 246-0966

On the Net

See this story and accompanying map showing where the Tracy Generation Station and East Tracy Generation Station will be located at nevadaappeal.com