In December, the El Paso County Park Advisory Board recommended approval of Clipper Windpower’s request for a transmission line easement along the Rock Island Trail, from the Peyton Township to Falcon.The transmission line will parallel Highway 24 from Soapweed Road in Calhan to Falcon Highway and carry electricity from the wind farm Clipper is planning to build south of Calhan.The easement agreement recommended by the Park Advisory Board includes a provision for an annual payment to the county instead of the one-time $10,000 payment originally proposed, said Tim Wolken, county community services director.The money will be used to support parks in the eastern part of the county, Wolken said.The agreement also requires that the transmission line is buried between Judge Orr Road and Meridian Road, he said.At the meeting, the question arose of whether the easement needs to be approved by the county planning commission before going to the board of county commissioners.Wolken said the county’s attorney will address that issue. As The New Falcon Herald went to press, they had not made a determination.
