Leeds council keeps power line routes open as residents oppose 345-kV plan

The Leeds Town Council on Oct. 14 discussed Rocky Mountain Power's planned Three Peaks to Purgatory Flat transmission line. Mayor Wayne Peterson described Salt Lake County's mapped utility corridor strategy and proposed exploring a similar long-term approach for Washington County. ^[1]

The minutes say the surrounding mayors and two county commissioners expressed interest, and a meeting with Rocky Mountain Power is being pursued. They also record that the town has made no commitment and that any decision requires a council majority. Council members supported keeping several routes open while putting existing homes first. They noted that a corridor wider than 150 feet could carry several lines and might require land exchanges or easements, and they recommended seeking advice from state representatives, including Colin Jack. ^[1]

Rocky Mountain Power describes the project as a single-circuit 345-kilovolt line of about 54 miles from the Three Peaks Substation near Cedar City to the Purgatory Flat Substation near Washington. It would add about 1,000 megawatts of capacity. The company's schedule lists permitting from 2026 to 2030, engineering from 2028 to 2030, construction from 2031 to 2033 and service in 2033. ^[2]

A company presentation to Leeds on Aug. 28 put the preferred route at 53.4 miles with a right-of-way of 125 to 150 feet. Of that, 15.3 miles are on Bureau of Land Management land, 35.3 miles are private and 2.9 miles are state land. ^[3]

Residents filled the public comment period. Several said the lines would cross farms and homes at the south end of town. Some urged the town to push for routes over public land. One speaker said a company representative told them that dealing with the BLM is harder. Another speaker said they handle BLM easements for work and that it is mainly more time-consuming. Some speakers raised health and property-value concerns. The minutes record those comments but no finding by the council. ^[1]

Residents asked what happens next. The minutes say they can submit input through the project website, and the mayor committed to ongoing contact with Rocky Mountain Power, county commissioners and state officials, with regular updates to the council. Construction could be about four years away, but permitting is expected to begin in 2026. ^[1]

KUTV reported on Oct. 6 that Peterson said the company did not contact Leeds until late August and called the current route "an unreasonable intrusion." The station said Rocky Mountain Power did not respond to its interview request. ^[4]

At the same meeting Mayor Peterson said the town received two agricultural protection area applications. The council planned to review comments on Oct. 28 and refer the applications to the county agricultural committee and the Planning Commission, which was expected to review them Nov. 3, with possible council action on Nov. 10. ^[1]