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County OKs NV Energy special‑use permit for two transmission segments outside TRIC corridor; one commissioner abstains
Summary
The Board approved a special‑use permit allowing two segments (about 7 taller poles) of a 10.4‑mile, 345 kV NV Energy transmission line to cross land outside the Tahoe‑Reno Industrial Center corridor; the planning commission had recommended approval and staff said NV Energy has easements for the route; one commissioner abstained from the vote.
Storey County commissioners on May 6 approved a special‑use permit for NV Energy to construct two segments of a 10.4‑mile, 345‑kilovolt transmission line that cross land located outside the Tahoe‑Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) transmission corridor.
Planning staff explained the bulk of the proposed line lies within the TRIC corridor and needs no special permit, but two short segments fall outside the corridor because of topography; those segments require a special‑use permit and additional height allowances in the county's forestry zoning. Staff said NV Energy holds easements for the affected parcels and that no public comments were received during noticing. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
The permit authorizes approximately seven poles taller than the county's 45‑foot standard; proposed pole heights range from about 83 feet to 139 feet depending on topography. The line will connect the Tracy Substation on Waltham Way to the Comstock Substation on Battery Boulevard; the permit covers portions of Sections 4 and 27, Township 19 North, Range 22 East (APNs 004‑154‑25 and 004‑154‑29).
Commissioners approved findings of fact and the staff‑recommended conditions of approval. One commissioner announced an abstention before the vote; the motion passed with the remaining commissioners in favor.
Why it matters: The line is part of NV Energy's regional transmission network. The decision allows NV Energy to build short segments that cannot be sited wholly inside the industrial corridor because of terrain while preserving the county's review of height and location where the corridor boundary is crossed.
What was said: Kathy Canfield, on behalf of planning, read the findings of fact into the record and noted the proposal conforms to the 2024 Storey County master plan for industrial transition areas. The board approved the permit with conditions recommended by staff.
Next steps: NV Energy may proceed with the segments once county conditions are satisfied and any required permitting at other jurisdictions is complete.
