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Louisville City Council Meeting <br />July 18, 2000 <br />Page 6 <br /> <br />Dr. Bob Pierson, would address questions about electromagnetic fields, Danny Pearson, <br />Transmission Engineer would respond to technical questions about the transmission lines, <br />and also present Larry Keith, of Graystone Consultants, who submitted the application <br />for PSCo. Diehl stated that he wished to convey four points: 1) Growth has created an <br />unexpected increase in demand and that rebuilding of the transmission lines is critical; 2) <br />Customers expect and demand reliable electricity, and that technologies have increased <br />their dependency on electric service; 3) Public Service Company has a responsibility and <br />commitment to provide reliable and safe electric service, however, without the new <br />infrastructure, there is the possibility of power shortages and outages. 4) Public Service <br />Company has been, and will remain, attentive, cooperative, patient and responsive to the <br />City of Louisville and its residents. <br /> <br />Diehl briefly reviewed the existing, above-ground electric transmission line built in 1955 <br />and stated that it has faithfully served the City of Louisville. He stated that the <br />transmission line is one piece of a large transmission grid that serves Colorado homes and <br />businesses and many other states. He noted that the Longmont to Broomfield <br />transmission line is an intricate part of the electric grid. He stated that increasing the <br />capacity of the transmission line is necessary in order to meet the electrical needs of its <br />customers. PSCo is improving systems throughout the metropolitan area including <br />Louisville, in order to meet those needs. <br /> <br />Diehl stated there is current overloading of the Valmont/Louisville/Broomfield/Federal <br />Heights transmission lines and that PSCo began the Special Review Use process to <br />upgrade the transmission line in September of 1999. In March of 2000, the application <br />was submitted to the City. <br /> <br />Diehl stated that the proposed project involves rebuilding the subject transmission line, <br />including installing new poles and replacing the conductors. The project will utilize the <br />existing right-of-way. Existing poles will be replaced with poles that are 15' taller. The <br />poles will be in the same location, unless an alternative location is identified. Conductors <br />will be replaced to increase power. The support structures are being replaced to provide <br />safe ground to line clearance in keeping with national standards. He addressed the <br />alternatives discussed as shown and compared in the document. <br /> <br />Diehl stated that if the City of Louisville denies this application, thus preventing PSCo <br />from building the transmission line, service could be interrupted. There could be a <br />shortage in the supply of reliable electricity resulting in power outages and causing safety <br />issues. PSCo may have no choice other than to unload the line. <br /> <br />Diehl stated that approving the application is justified. He noted that power usage is at <br />an all time high, with 36% growth in the last five years. He stated that loss of electricity <br /> <br />6 <br /> <br /> <br />