News

Final report available on MID power lines project

Sun-Star Staff
Existing power lines that run along the property of Randy and Denise Bertuccio on Wardrobe Avenue in Merced on July 8. The Merced Irrigation District has proposed a plan to place new power lines with transmission poles reaching up to 95 feet in height, spanning 13.1 miles in south Merced. The Bertuccios and other residents are angered by the proposed placement of the new poles and power lines which will follow the same path as the existing poles.
Existing power lines that run along the property of Randy and Denise Bertuccio on Wardrobe Avenue in Merced on July 8. The Merced Irrigation District has proposed a plan to place new power lines with transmission poles reaching up to 95 feet in height, spanning 13.1 miles in south Merced. The Bertuccios and other residents are angered by the proposed placement of the new poles and power lines which will follow the same path as the existing poles. Andrew Kuhn akuhn@mercedsunstar.com

The final environmental impact report for Merced Irrigation District’s Merced South Transmission Line is complete and was posted to MID’s website Tuesday.

The project will include 13.1 miles of power lines on the outskirts of south Merced, including a substation near Mission Avenue. The project has been in the works since 2011, and a draft environmental impact report was published in May.

Many residents and farmers commented on the project at MID board meetings during the 45-day comment period after the draft report was published. Residents raised concerns about aesthetic and health implications from the project, and farmers voiced concern over how the project would affect crops. The final report also includes letters residents sent to MID opposing the project. In the final report, MID responds to those comments.

The final report also includes information about a system impact study for the interconnection of the proposed Lyons Substation from Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

A few language changes were made in the final report in various sections, including the project description, visual resources, land use and planning, alternatives and other areas.

The final report can be found online at http://www.mercedid.com/default/assets/File/MID_SO115kV_FEIR_20150901.pdf.

The Sun-Star will report further on this issue later this week.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 11:23 PM with the headline "Final report available on MID power lines project."

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