It’s been an issue that has divided residents in south Columbia for almost a decade, and almost led to a recall vote against a former city councilwoman.
The high-profile debate over the location of a new high-voltage electric transmission line in south Columbia will be starting again. 939 the Eagle’s Mike Murphy, who publishes Comobuz, reports Columbia Water and Light wants to route the transmission line across Grindstone Parkway, Nifong, Vawter School road and Scott Boulevard to connect its Grindstone and Perche Creek substations. Columbia voters approved a $63-million bond issue to finance the project in April 2015, but the council paused the issue in 2016 due to residents in south Columbia who complained about the power line’s proximity to their property.
Murphy reports Columbia Water and Light says it needs the transmission and still believes the original route from 2015 is the best option. Columbia Fifth ward councilman Don Waterman, who represents the area where the proposed line would be located, tells 939 the Eagle’s Murphy that the issue has been delayed too long, and that he wants to keep the electric infrastructure and transmission line issue at on the forefront.
Councilman Waterman tells Murphy that Columbia’s city council will hold a work session on the issue next Monday, October 21.
