Proposed substation would cut into development-ready land

Troutdale leaders concerned about impact of project

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Nov 24, 2009

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A proposed power line across the Columbia River at Troutdale may not affect most Oregon residents, but a connected substation would consume a chunk of property city leaders hope to see occupied by a tax-generating development.

Bonneville Power Administration is in the early-evaluation stage of its “I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project,” a 500-kilovolt transmission line that would span from Castle Rock, Wash., to Troutdale. Once public, environmental impact and other concerns are fully addressed, Bonneville will decide in spring 2012 whether to move forward with the project. Completion could come as early as 2015.

The line’s southern terminus would require a substation on a 25-acre parcel near the former Reynolds/Alcoa metals plant and a new constructed Federal Express Ground facility.

Owned by the Port of Portland, the 700-acre parcel bordered by the Columbia and Sandy rivers is being redeveloped as the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park.

The sprawling FedEx plant, scheduled to open for business next year, anchors the park, which Troutdale leaders hope will attract similar commercial-industrial tenants.

Troutdale Mayor Jim Kight, who attended a recent workshop on the project Bonneville Power hosted at the Gresham Holiday Inn, said he and city councilors are concerned the substation will claim a viable swath of land that opened up when the old Reynolds plant was dismantled.

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