A judge has dismissed Utah Power's lawsuit attempting to force Salt Lake County approval of the controversial Dimple Dell substation in Sandy.
Third District Judge Tyrone Medley ruled Monday that the utility should have appealed the county's condition that the company negotiate differences with Sandy. He said resorting to the courts was premature.Utah Power spokesman Dave Eskelsen said the company was evaluating its options in light of the ruling.
Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan said, "Utah Power will have to sit down and work with the county and the city now. It means that we're going to look for solutions to the concerns of our residents. I'm hoping they will now sincerely look for those solutions."
Residents near the site of the proposed substation have fought for 18 months to have the lines buried. They contend electromagnetic fields could cause cancer and the overhead lines and towers would hurt their property values.
Utah Power said the city or its residents would have to pay the cost of burying the lines.
The company sued the county when it withdrew permission to build the facility and the 138-kilovolt power overhead lines emanating from it. Utah Power argued that working out problems with Sandy was unreasonable and Salt Lake County should be ordered to issue a permit for the substation.