The Beck St. Project is an effort funded by Marathon Oil to have Rocky Mountain Power increase the power capacity of lines delivering power to the Marathon Oil Refinery. While the need for an increase is obvious and we support the underlying need, the implementation is damaging to the health and quality of life of Westside residents in the Rose Park, Fair Park and Poplar Grove communities.
Further such action impacts property values of homes along the path of the proposed upgrade. This upgrade will increase power handling capability from 43 KVA to 138 KVA and will result in pole heights going from 40 ft. to 80 ft. and removing mature trees along the right of way. This project has not been fairly represented to homeowners and the health impacts are unknown to the public. The impact to property values has been studied for years and will be at least 5% of the current value. The “industrialized” look and feel this brings to these 1950s neighborhoods is yet another example of how large corporate entities take advantage of socio-economically challenged areas like the Westside. The Coalition is taking on this challenge to protect our neighborhoods.