FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tad Johnsen, Director or Ryan Williams, Assistant Director or Connie Kacprowicz, Utility Services Specialist - (573) 874-7325

Input sought on proposed electric line routes

COLUMBIA, MO (October 22, 2010) - Columbia Water & Light is in the process of improving the high-voltage electric transmission system for reliability purposes. The utility will host the first set of meetings for the public to review and comment on the different transmission line routes that are being proposed in the southern part of the community.

Rock Bridge High School, 4303 South Providence Road
Oct. 26: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Grindstone Transmission Line Route

Oct. 27: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Perche Creek Transmission Line Route

Oct. 28: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
McBaine Transmission Line Route

The Grindstone route will run between Mill Creek Substation and the Grindstone Substation located at the intersection of Grindstone Parkway and Ponderosa Street. The Perche Creek route will run between Mill Creek Substation and Perche Creek Substation located off Germantown Drive near Scott Boulevard. The McBaine route will run between Mill Creek Substation and McBaine, Missouri.

Transmission planning studies have identified weaknesses in the city’s transmission system that could result in problems for the city and neighboring systems. The proposed upgrades will ensure greater electric reliability and will improve regional stability of the power grid. The city’s consulting engineer, Sega, has evaluated several different routes for each transmission line. Whenever possible, the lines will be erected along already established roads.

After a series of meetings to gather input from the public, Columbia Water & Light will present the public’s comments along with the preferred electric transmission line routes to the Columbia City Council. Before the new lines are constructed, the City Council will hold a public hearing and make the final decision on the new transmission line routes.

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