Substation moves ahead despite protests

About 30 concerned residents met with Sierra Pacific representatives and city officials Thursday evening to discuss the planned power substation at the corner of Fairview Drive and Saliman Street in Carson City.

Several residents around Pullman Road are opposed to the project, saying it would obstruct views and decrease property values.

Korey Farnworth, who owns a home on Pullman Lane, is worried about electromagnetic frequency pollution from the power lines and the constant drone of transformers.

"We can't park an RV on the street because it's unsightly but we can put a possibly dangerous facility in a residential area?" he asked. He said his renters have already threatened to move.

Project manager Bill Bennet said EMF radiation has not been proven dangerous.

"There is no evidence that there are any ill effects from EMF radiation to date."

City Supervisor Pete Livermore has inquired with the attorney general's office about possible legal action to stop the substation.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Mark Forsberg responded in a letter, "We just don't have any clout legally to stop them from siting the substation where they want."

Caboose Drive resident Jacqueline Stek brought a petition to stop the substation to the meeting.

"I've got about 75 signatures now. Maybe after this meeting I'll have 100."

In response to concerns raised by residents over the last few months, developers have redesigned their plan, moving the building farther from homes and lowering poles to maintain views.

The tallest poles will now be 22 feet, reduced from 28. The company will also bury one pole line, so the skyline will be less crowded with wires.

An 8-foot brick wall will be built 50 feet from property lines, adding 20 feet between resident's back yards and the wall. The first piece of equipment will be placed 32 feet from the wall, Bennet said.

No special-use permit is required for the station because of city zoning created in 1976.

The only special-use permit required for the project is for the 8-foot wall, which is taller than the city would regularly allow. Sierra Pacific engineers are working on their plan and expect to apply for the permit soon.

Sierra Pacific is buying the 2.38-acre parcel of land from Snap-On tools, which has a facility to the east. Sierra Pacific and Snap-On are planning to share a new access road. The purchase is currently in escrow.

"We expect it to close within three or four weeks," said Bennet.

The station will take electricity from an existing 120,000-volt line and reduce it to 12,500 volts which can be more readily distributed to surrounding businesses and homes.

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.