Columbia considering alternate route for power lines amid blowback

Officials are still working to bring more power to South Columbia, even though many people aren’t pleased with the plans. The city’s water and light board talked about the future transmission lines on Wednesday, which could cut through multiple neighborhoods.

The transmission line project has been in the planning stages since 2007. So far, the city has spent $7 million on planning and equipment for adding the transmission lines and a new sub station to the South Side. It’s being paid for with a voter-approved rate increase.

“Building transmission lines is one of the harder things to do. No one wants poles in their backyards. Now, all new construction all the distribution lines are built underground,” said Connie Kacprowicz with Columbia Water and Light.

But it’s difficult and cost prohibitive to build transmission lines underground and that’s part of the problem. The city council gave the green light in 2013 that would put transmission lines in the air through multiple neighborhoods along Grindstone Parkway, Nifong Boulevard, Vawter School Road and Scott Boulevard.

After blowback from multiple residents along the route, the City Council is considering an alternate plan. A different route would move the transmission line around the neighborhoods.

“You want to take a lot of electricity to where it’s going to be used, so that’s when you use transmission lines. You step up the voltage, put it out over transmission lines, you can send a lot of energy through the system,” said Kacprowicz

If the City Council changes the route it could cost the city some extra money considering it’s already put millions into the current plan. Officials said the city might be able to recoup a portion of the $7 million. A new route would also push the project back a couple of years.

“All of this is looking towards how we are going to address not only meeting our electric needs in the future, but also make sure that we have a reliable electric system here in Columbia,” said Kacprowicz.

The City Council is set to have a public hearing about the transmission line route on Jan. 19.