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Morrow County declines state-appointed committee for Pacificorp 500 kV review, asks for technical help instead
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Summary
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners voted to decline formation of an Oregon Department of Energy committee to run public involvement on Pacificorp’s proposed 31.8‑mile, 500 kV transmission line but directed staff to seek technical assistance from the state as needed for review and outreach.
Morrow County commissioners on the record declined a request to ask the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) to appoint the statute‑mandated technical committee for public review of Pacificorp’s proposed 31.8‑mile, 500 kilovolt transmission line, while directing staff to pursue technical assistance from the agency if necessary.
Tamara Mavett, the county’s planning director, outlined the project and a statute that provides for ODOE involvement. “The red line that you see on the map is a 31.8 mile long 500 kV transmission line connecting the Maverick Substation … and the Apex Substation,” Mavett said, describing the route and the county’s concern about alignment and related land‑use effects.
Jocelyn Pease, an attorney representing Pacificorp, told the board the utility had not started any condemnation process and that ODOE participation would not alter the substantive land‑use standards the county must apply. “The fact that there is this additional notice and comment process afforded by the statute … doesn’t change any of the standards that would otherwise apply,” Pease said.
Commissioners discussed whether ODOE should run the public involvement process or whether the county and the applicant could host that outreach. Mavett described the statute (cited in packet as AS 469442) that allows the ODOE director to appoint a committee of technical experts and public members at the request of an affected governing body, and said staff had discussed possible technical support with the agency.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to decline formation of an ODOE‑appointed committee and to instead have county staff seek targeted technical assistance from ODOE where needed during project review and outreach. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The board directed staff to prepare or send a letter to ODOE’s director requesting technical assistance for county staff and commissioners rather than requesting full committee formation. Staff and Mavett said technical support would help the county assess alignment questions, transmission‑line siting constraints and potential impacts on future local transmission projects.
The decision does not approve or deny any land‑use permit for the line; Mavett noted that once an application is filed the county’s review will be governed by the applicable planning standards. Pacificorp’s attorney said the company will host required pre‑application meetings and that the applicant and state could both play roles in public outreach as required by statute.
