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Residents urge public meeting after crews mark yards for SUVPS high‑power line
Summary
Multiple Spanish Fork residents told the council crews have been marking yards for a South Utah Valley Power System (SUVPS) project that would place very large poles near homes. Neighbors asked the city to facilitate a public meeting with SUVPS to explain siting, outreach, and safety.
Several Spanish Fork residents used the public‑comment period at the Feb. 3 council meeting to press the city for more outreach and a public forum with South Utah Valley Power System (SUVPS) after field crews were seen marking circles for new, much taller power poles.
Kevin Badsgaard said crews recently marked locations about 10 feet from his bedroom window and described poles “90 to 100‑foot” tall and steel structures of large diameter. He said only one neighbor recalled receiving a flyer and said landowners were surprised to see markings in front of their properties. His wife, Jenny Badsgaard, added that SUVPS staff had been ‘offish’ in meetings and that residents fear both property‑value impacts—citing studies residents found suggesting a 5–45% reduction depending on placement—and potential health concerns tied to electromagnetic fields.
Several other residents reiterated worries about proximity to a gas line in one backyard and about pole placement that appears to cross private yards. Council members and the mayor clarified SUVPS is the project proponent and that the city is a member of the regional system but is not the primary project owner. City staff said the city will follow up: staff offered to meet individually with affected residents and to request SUVPS attend a broader meeting with neighbors so questions about outreach, easements, and technical details (EMF levels, pole heights, easements) can be addressed collectively.
City staff noted historical easements may exist along the right‑of‑way and that some conduits were stubbed in prior development work; staff said stubs are empty conduit and do not constitute installed power infrastructure. The council asked staff to coordinate with SUVPS and update residents on next steps.
No formal council action or vote on the SUVPS project was taken at the meeting; the council committed to follow‑up outreach and to invite SUVPS to meet with affected landowners.
