Local Residents Urge Planning Commission to Scrutinize Excel Power Pathways and Potential Transmission Impacts

At the start of the April 15 meeting, residents representing the Elbert County Environmental Alliance (ECA) used the public comment period to warn commissioners that an application from Excel Power Pathways (a separate transmission project) is expected in the coming months and to request extra diligence when that application arrives.

Carrie Giblets, who identified herself as a board member of the Elbert County Environmental Alliance and a Kiowa resident, urged commissioners to pay special attention to section J16 of the 1040 application form (the county form referenced by speakers) which requires an applicant to demonstrate it will not place an undue financial burden on county residents. Giblets said transmission lines can depress property values and potentially increase insurance rates and cited potential impacts to local businesses and the county tax base.

Don Grama, also an ECA board member, said ECA has coordinated with other counties potentially affected by the transmission route and urged the Planning Commission to do a thorough review when the Excel application arrives. Both speakers said the application is large and will require time for careful review, and they urged staff and commissioners to plan for the workload the submission will impose.

No formal action was taken on Excel Power Pathways during the April 15 meeting; the comments were recorded as public comment on unrelated agenda items. Commissioners acknowledged the remarks and staff said they would follow up about process and public broadcast options for upcoming study sessions.

The matters raised during public comment relate to an anticipated forthcoming application; the Planning Commission did not consider or rule on any part of the Excel proposal at the April 15 meeting.