Fort Collins could seek injunction to stop PRPA power line to Loveland

FORT COLLINS – The City of Fort Collins is ready to go to court over a
high-power transmission line across the Pineridge Natural Area between
Fort Collins and Loveland.

After a special closed-door meeting Thursday night, Fort Collins City
Council directed City Manager Darin Atteberry and City Attorney, Steve
Roy to formally express its objection to continued construction of Phase
III of the Dixon Creek Substation to Horseshoe Station Transmission
Line. As part of the motion, the Council authorized the two to seek a
court order for an injunction to delay the construction of the
seven-mile portion of the transmission line, if no agreement with
Loveland can be reached.

The city objects specifically to the possible impact of 100-foot
structures on the natural area. It would prefer that the power lines be
installed underground to preserve the viewshed.

Two-thirds of the project, approved in 2005, has been completed, with
only the final stretch planned to traverse the natural area surrounding
Dixon Reservoir southwest of Fort Collins.

In a prepared statement, the council called the need for such action “regrettable.”

“While the Fort Collins City Council appreciates the need for reliable
power for the city of Loveland, Platte River Power Authority has not
adequately investigated equally reliable alternatives to transmission,”
the statement added.

PRPA is the electric utility co-owned by Fort Collins, Loveland,
Longmont and Estes Park. On Tuesday, PRPA presented both above-ground
and underground options for the transmission line to the Loveland City
Council. Power company engineers estimated that burying the line would
add about $12 million to the project cost.

Loveland council voted 9-0 to direct the utility to proceed with
construction in early September as scheduled, despite a request from
Fort Collins Mayor Karen Weikunat for a two- to three-month delay to
consider putting the lines underground.

That action led to the special meeting of the Fort Collins council,
which indicated it is “committed to, and will continue dialogue with,
the City of Loveland, PRPA, and our partner cities to seek resolution of
this issue.”