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April 16, 2008

VVEC relocating power poles

By JOY HAMPTON

District 2 County Commissioner Mike Helm said Monday he had concerns regarding power lines and a gas line that erosion had left exposed on a closed portion of Keetonville Road following last week’s flooding.

Helm had representatives from Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative and Oklahoma Natural Gas on site Tuesday morning.

ONG spokesman Don Sherry said there was no immediate danger from exposed stretches of 12-inch gas pipeline along the half-mile area affected by erosion.

“We do not believe at this time that it (the exposed pipeline) poses any kind of safety threat,” said Sherry. “It has not been structurally compromised.”

Erosion removed dirt and clay covering some sections of buried natural gas pipeline. The line is “intermediate pressure pipeline” pressurized at 125 pounds per square inch. ONG will monitor the situation, Sherry said.

VVEC said it will relocate electric power lines along the half mile stretch of county road that has been closed.

“The two poles in question on Keetonville Road are currently energized and carry lines that serve a soccer field and residential areas,” said Kimberly Loffer, VVEC communications correspondent. Two homes would be affected. “We are contacting land owners to obtain easements which will allow us to rebuild the lines. It is approximately half mile of line. Once easement is given, construction should take two-to-three weeks and we have determined that the poles are secure until construction can begin.”

Loffer said three electric utility poles need to be rerouted. A loose guide wire on one pole is a cause of concern. A second pole is near the eroding bank of the Verdigris and an exposed gas line. If something happens to those two poles, Loffer said it would put too much pressure on a third pole.

For now, the poles are secure enough, but the power cooperative will take action soon. At this time VVEC does not want to do “anything permanent on that road.”

Company officials have determined it is unsafe for employees or a truck to be in the area.

Loffer said, “We can’t take equipment in there. We will monitor it daily. Rain is expected Thursday. We will keep a heightened watch.” Soil erosion is the major concern.

“A temporary fix is not desirable,” Loffer said. “Primary voltage runs through there.”

New lines will follow a different route.

“Our cost right now will be based on where exactly we’ll be able to place the lines,” said Loffer. “We’re planning on putting in approximately five poles. It could depend on where we get easement rights to place the poles.”

ONG engineers will study the pipeline situation and “will decide what kind of action on our part is required,” said Sherry.

Contact Joy Hampton

at 341-1101 or

e-mail news4@claremoreprogress.com

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