Jury trial is planned in Idaho Power suit in Morrow County
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HEPPNER – Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson says he’s waiting with interest to see how a trial in the Sixth Circuit Court goes next month. Idaho Power is suing two Morrow County landowners to use their property for the Boardman to Hemingway transmission line.
Idaho Power wants to take the land using eminent domain after failing to reach an agreement with Mitchell and Peggy Hays representing the Hays Trust. Nelson said he will be very interested in having some questions answered by a jury.
“What is the value of the property,” is the first question Nelson rose. “What is the value of this easement if it’s allowed to be on there? I know there are a lot of local farmers who have been up in arms, rightfully, against this saying they don’t want this on their property.”
The Boardman to Hemingway project would see a 500-kilovolt transmission line running for an estimated 293 miles across eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho. Idaho power said the line will deliver up to 1,000 megawatts of power in each direction.
The jury trial is scheduled for Aug. 18.
File photo of Morrow County Sixth Circuit Court
