Manhattan Heights residents concerned over electric poles

electric over its proposed rate increase … residents in the historic manhattan heights district are upset over new electricity poles. last month residents noticed el paso electric was installing poles along elm street. they say the utility didn’t seek the approval of the historic landmark commision. today those residents met with el paso electric reps. abc-7’s jerry najera is live with the story … bob — the utility poles started going up shortly after the fourth of july. tonight, residents asked the electric company if there are alternative routes for its poles. the utility says that’s not an option right now: eddie gutierrez: “the short story is that are other options that we would of identified however they were at the expense of our taxpayers our rate payers and there would be issues of actually adding more poles in the district” el paso electric says it has an agreement with the city that gives it the right to easements. residents who live along elm street say the utility poles are not only an eyesore … but could become a saferi storms. they say elm street becomes a river of sorts when it rains really hard. they feel the unstable ground below could affect the poles: julie rutlidge: “this we thin is a real concern in the ground that these high voltage poles are in sinkholes and a safety issue and the impact that the poles could have on the sewer lines and the sewer lines on the poles” el paso electric reassured residents like julie rutlidge today. the utility says it did its homework and the project is part of an upgr its electricity system in central el paso. ashlie – back to you. to stormtrack weather now! let’s