Planning commission OKs northern power substation

A proposed electrical substation in north Carson Valley is one step closer to reality.

On Tuesday, planning commissioners unanimously approved a special use permit for NV Energy to construct a 60 kilovolt electrical substation off Heybourne Road, more than a mile north of Stephanie Way.

Planning commissioner Rick Ross was absent for the vote.

If approved by the county commission, the station would be built on a 3.7-acre portion of a 181-acre parcel that currently contains the North Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant. The property is owned by the county and already zoned for public facility use.

Douglas County Community Development recommended approval of the project.

"The substation will be serving northern Douglas County communities," Associate Planner Brandy McMahon wrote in her staff report. "Northern Douglas County communities are now served by two 12.5 kilovolt distribution lines out of the Overland Substation on Clearview Drive in Carson City. Both of these lines are now loaded to capacity."

The proposed site is adjacent to an existing 60 kilovolt transmission line that would be tapped into. Electricity would be delivered to customers via four new 12.5 kilovolt distribution lines, or feeders, that would be extended from the station and connected to existing distribution lines.

"The site is ideal," said project spokesman Mark Sullivan. "There will not be a dramatic change in existing distribution lines."

The Saratoga Springs Estates subdivision lies about 3/4 of a mile to the south east of the site.

Saratoga resident Ted Wallace was not opposed to the project, but was worried future residential growth would lead to more power consumption and perhaps larger lines and larger towers near his neighborhood.

"As the economy picks up, there will be more subdivisions in the area," Wallace said. "I know it's more expensive, but maybe then it would be time to start burying the lines."

Sullivan said NV Energy does have plans for future distribution lines in the area depending on growth. He said Nevada law allows residents to request underground lines if those residents are willing to pay for underground construction.

McMahon said because of the proposed location, the substation would not have a negative impact on Saratoga Springs residents. She said the station would remain under 40 feet in height except for one 55-foot lightning arrestor.

"The substation is being placed on the northwestern side of the North Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant site," she wrote in her report. "It will be separated from Saratoga Springs Estates by the effluent storage reservoir that is surrounded by a 10- to 15-foot high berm. There is a six-foot high fence and landscaping around the reservoir. The placement of the electrical substation at this location should not negatively impact the views of the Saratoga Springs homeowners."

Douglas County also conditioned that metal electrical equipment be painted to match the natural environment, or be designed to weather and gain a patina.