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Power Lines, and the Power That Lies. The Towers Are for Power. The Motive Is Control. By David J Leavitt (07/04/25)
Introduction
Rep. David Leavitt exposes the ugly underbelly of the high voltage transmission line project Southwest Intertie Project (SWIP), which is destroying Idaho to feed the power-hungry ways of California and AI projects in Caldwell (Google Data Center), Kuna (Meta campus), and Boise (Micron expansion).
We may be powerless to stop these projects that steal Idaho’s land, property rights, financial future, access to power for the people, and sovereignty. But stop them we must!
The first step is to learn about the issue, which Rep. Leavitt lays out clearly. The next step is to share. And the next step is to TAKE ACTION with help from community members and legislators at the state and federal levels (not sure who these are, but will update if we learn more).
We must take action if we are to remain free (and healthy). See Related Substack notes for some ideas.
SUMMARY (Grok ai, edited; image from article)
The Southwest Intertie Project (SWIP) is a 285-mile high-voltage transmission line in Idaho’s Magic Valley. SWIP prioritizes corporate control and California’s energy needs over local property rights and community consent.
Using outdated 1990s permits, Great Basin Transmission and Idaho Power are pushing the project through, disregarding recent community growth and inadequate public notification.
Leavitt explains how Idaho Code 31-881 (HB 106) is misused to limit local opposition, while the project primarily benefits external markets, leaving Idahoans with environmental and economic costs. He ties the project to broader issues of corporate influence, particularly tech giants’ power demands for AI, urging resistance to protect local autonomy.
Project Details and Concerns
Southwest Intertie Project (SWIP): 285-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line through Jerome and Twin Falls Counties.
Purpose: Supplies energy primarily to California, Nevada, and other markets, not Idaho.
Local Impact: Disrupts family farms, residential areas, and historic sites; lowers property values; increases utility rates.
Legal and Procedural Issues
Outdated Permits: Relies on 1991-1994 easements and a 1994 federal Record of Decision, ignoring 30 years of community changes.
Inadequate Notification: Residents often uninformed until last minute; some learned through neighbors, not official channels.
Idaho Code 31-881 (HB 106): Misinterpreted to strip counties of zoning authority, originally meant to protect consumer utility choices.
Idaho Code 31-881: tinyurl.com/ysph5chw
H0106 (2023): tinyurl.com/ycz3ruzz
Community Resistance
Public Hearings: Residents raised concerns about health (e.g., pacemaker interference), equipment malfunctions, and safety (e.g., shocks from fencing).
Dismissed Concerns: Project deemed compliant with safety standards, so local testimony was ignored. (Sound familiar? 💉)
Broader Implications
Corporate Control: Project linked to tech giants (Google, Meta, Micron) needing power for AI data centers.
Loss of Autonomy: Idaho’s land and rights are being sacrificed for external profit, with state laws enabling corporate overreach.
Call to Action: Urges residents to resist now to preserve local control and prevent further corporate expansion.
Related Substack Notes & Comments:
🗣️ Our Comments on Rep. Leavitt’s post: tinyurl.com/mvhavrp7
🔥Idaho Power's Rate Hike: Who Pays the Price? A message and call to action from the Gang of 8. By Zito for Idaho (06/06/25): tinyurl.com/2sdf79z8
Why Idahoans Are Paying More for Their Power Bills. How out-of-state energy mandates and corporate projects are driving up Idaho’s power costs. By Sen. Christy Zito and Rep. David Leavitt (06/12/25): tinyurl.com/55tdbjhf
Wildfire Standard of Care Act (S1183): tinyurl.com/4c8zahdx | Substack Note opposing: tinyurl.com/26vhja3f
5G The Untold Story. The truth about the rollout of modern wireless technologies — including how, despite lack of data on their safety, the telecom industry continues placing such devices in close proximity to living beings. Humans, plants and animals are suffering as a result (06/22/25, video 30 min): tinyurl.com/5fj6pm3j
Idaho “Green” Energy: Lava Ridge Wind Turbine Project Dead (Temporarily). Do More Loom — Taurus Wind and Snake River Solar Projects? (posted 01/23/25, updated 01/31/25): tinyurl.com/ytks3ehw
