HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-15 Construction Policy for Electrical FacilitiesA RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL SETTING FORTH A SITING AND
CONSTRUCTION POLICY FOR ELECTRICAL FACILITIES WITHIN THE CITY
OF ASHLAND.
WHEREAS, the City of Ashland has adopted the "Valdez Principles" which
establish the City's policies regarding disclosure of
environmental hazards and impacts, reduction of health and
safety risks to employees and citizens, and the utilization
of appropriate technologies and operating procedures; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ashland has undertaken the establishment of a
policy for siting and construction of new electrical
facilities consistent with the "Valdez Principles" in order
to address the potential effects of electro-magnetic fields
(EMF); and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Energy has concluded that there are
biological effects of EMF and that some of these effects may
be correlated with potential health effects; and
WHEREAS, the provider of electrical power to the City of Ashland, the
Bonneville Power Administration, has adopted interim
guidelines designed to minimize EMF exposure to. the public
through new facilities siting, design, and construction; and
WHEREAS, while the City of Ashland recognizes the inconclusive nature
of the data concerning EMF, it also supports an informed
citizenry through public disclosure of the potential health
risks of EMF.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the
City of Ashland adopt a policy of "prudent avoidance" of exposure to
EMF and that "prudent avoidance" assumes that exposure to EMF may
present a health risk.
SECTION 1. CONSERVATION. The City of Ashland will continue its
aggressive program of energy conservation, realizing that wise use of
energy conserves resources, reduces energy demand, and therefore
lowers the overall potential for exposure to EMF from electrical
facilities.
SECTION Z. ACTIVE INFORMATION AND EDUCATION MEASURES.
A. City Employees should be trained regarding avoidance of
unnecessary EMF exposure.
B. Public awareness regarding EMF should be encouraged by providing
information.
C. A public school educational program regarding EMF exposure
avoidance should be encouraged.
SECTION 3. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MEASURES.
A. The City of Ashland should develop a database of existing EMF
levels on distribution feeders throughout the City.
B. The City of Ashland staff is encouraged to pursue participation
with the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) in the
development of an EMF database which will be utilized in guiding
future policy decisions.
SECTION 4. GOALS FOR NEW ELECTRICAL FACILITY PLANNING, SITING, AND
CONSTRUCTION.
A. Planning for expansion, siting, and construction of future
facilities should attempt to minimize EMF near sensitive areas, eg.
schools, hospitals, playgrounds, existing areas of high EMF exposure,
and areas of future development.
B. The City of Ashland will inform all affected citizens of the
projected EMF during the design phases of new transmission lines,
substations, and substation distribution lines.
C. The City of Ashland's Electric Utility and Department of Community
Development should coordinate joint review of land use applications
where significantly increased EMF exposure may be anticipated.
D. In siting new transmission and distribution lines and substations,
public exposure to EMF should not be increased where practical
alternatives exist.
E. Substations shall be fenced to discourage public access to
substation property. Substations shall be landscaped to mitigate
adverse impacts on the surrounding properties.
F. For all new substation facilities, the City shall follow the site
review process, including review by the Planning Commission.
SECTIO~ 5. GOALS FOR EXISTING ELECTRICAL FACILITIES.
A. Where reasonable or practical, the City shall seek to
systematically reduce public exposure to EMF from existing electrical
facilities. This shall include dwellings, schools, playgrounds,
hospitals, and public assembly areas.
B. The City shall encourage other entities with electrical facilities
within the City of Ashland to adopt the city's policy of' reducing
public exposure to EMF.
SECTION 6. MEASURES TO ASSIST IN REDUCTION OF EMF.
A. Transmission and distribution lines should be designed using the
best available technology to reduce EMF to the lowest practical level
consistent with reasonable costs.
B. Consideration should be given to locating on-site high current
distribution lines away from playgrounds, schools and hospitals in
order to lower EMF exposure.
The foregoing Resolution was READ and DULY ADOPTED at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Ashland on the~~
day of ~'~ ~f , 1991.
~a~k~lin~z~~
City Recorder
SIGNED and APPROVED this j//'~day of ~;~i~,
, 1991.
Catherine M. Golden
Mayor