|
Response split on MATL line |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 04 April 2007 |
|
Page 1 of 2 By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
A packed Norley Hall on Tuesday saw a mixture of responses for a proposed 230-kilovolt-transmission line that would run from Lethbridge, Alberta Canada south to Great Falls.
Approximately 130 miles of the 203-mile transmission line would be constructed in the U.S. Between 45 and 52 miles of line would be in Pondera County.
Between 70 and 80 people were at the first of three public hearings, many of them in possession of the heavy inch and a half thick draft environment impact statement put out by the DEQ (Dept. of Environmental Quality).
Tom Ring of the DEQ, who drew a chuckle from the crowd as he explained the ground rules, saying, “We need to keep the comments PG rated, because you’ll all be on record”, moderated the public meeting.
 There were four alternatives to the proposed project, one being to take no action should the project not be approved.
The second alternative is preferred by MATL (Montana-Alberta Tie Ltd.).
It would run 129.9 miles with the line running east of Valier, west of Conrad, crossing over I-15 just north of Brady, and continuing south to Great Falls.
The first speaker, Shawn Dolan, came up from Idaho to comment because his family has land near Valier that the transmission line would cross. He felt that, “The line for economic development was overstated.” He saw, “A little push in motel, gas stations and restaurants, but that was all.”
He went on to add that the wind farm developers are multi-national companies from out of Montana looking for a tax write-off.
Ted Kronebusch speaking as a businessman and Regional Port Authority board member commented, “I’d relish anyone who will bring high paying jobs into the county. I support the project.”
Rep. Llew Jones, HD-27, was on hand and passed out copies of HB-843, which he has introduced.
Being in support of the proposed transmission line, his bill will allow a property tax exemption, under certain conditions, for land owned by the taxpayer that includes land adjacent to the certain transmission lines.
“This is a potential $1.2 billion investment, I hope we work on this,” he said.
Jim Nelson, who farms along the Bullhead Road said, “This runs the full length of my land, I’m opposed to coming across it.”
|
