Planning commission approves Rocky Mountain Power transmission-line upgrade with restoration bond requirement

Snyderville Basin — The Snyderville Basin Planning Commission on Sept. 12 approved a conditional-use permit for a 4.5-mile transmission-line upgrade proposed by Rocky Mountain Power, a project the applicant described as part of a broader wildfire hardening program.

Senior planner Amir Charles summarized the project as a pole-for-pole replacement that will replace wooden poles with metal structures painted a rust/brown color to blend with the landscape. Applicant Andrew Badger said the work is part of several ongoing projects to reduce wildfire risk and to improve reliability; he described taller metal poles and reconductoring as the primary mitigation measures.

Multiple residents raised questions in the public hearing about the line’s voltage capacity and construction impacts. Rocky Mountain Power confirmed the existing line is a 46,000-volt (46 kV) transmission line; the reconductor will be 138 kV-capable conductor though operated at 46 kV for now. That structure means the line is "future proofed," the applicant said, while current operation remains at 46 kV.

Residents asked about disturbance footprints, trail and easement impacts, timing and communication. Applicant representatives described prior projects in the area where trails were restored and plantings installed; they said revegetation, debris removal and coordination with homeowners and homeowners associations would be part of construction and remediation. Rocky Mountain Power said undergrounding high-voltage transmission is technically feasible but would be substantially more disruptive and costly and that it would generally be funded by the community making the request.

Commissioners focused on restoration guarantees. One commissioner moved approval with "specific attention by staff paid to condition of approval number 6 that a bond shall be in place to ensure site restoration, revegetation of disturbed areas up to including neighboring trees to the extent they can be there." The motion was seconded and passed 5–0.

The permit carries conditions for engineering, erosion control, restoration, seasonal construction timing and a requirement to coordinate with county departments and affected homeowners. Rocky Mountain Power representatives said they will provide greater detail on construction phasing and contact information for homeowners as project contracts and drawings are finalized.