EASEMENTS. wHAT ARE THEY AND WHEN DO I NEED THEM?

What is an easement ?

An easement is a legal grant of permission by a landowner that provides a perpetual legal right for SESD to install, maintain, and access electric facilities. When an easement is obtained, whether by you or by other property owners, the easement must be obtained in the name of South Utah Valley Electric Service District (SESD). 

Additionally, easements are for the safety of the public, for SESD employees, and to protect facilities and equipment.  

Landowners generally, may use their property that may be encumbered by a powerline, or power line easement, for most any purposes, provided the use does not interfere with the easement rights, In some cases, however, buildings or structures are not allowed to be built under or possibly within, the easement corridor. In order to enusre your proposed use is acceptable, please contact SESD. 

When is an easement needed?
 

An easement is required for all properties crossed by the
electric power line. SESD utilizes a standard easement form that contains sufficient rights for SESD to install, use and maintain its electric facilities in perpetuity. In addition, SESD may require a written easement from you, as the property owner, on property, or properties, that are being subdivided or may be subdivided in the future. If a written easement is not required of you at the time you request service, SESD's easement is implied, and the District reserves the right to require a written easement in the future.

Does SESD have existing easements on my property?

If your property is in south Utah County, the answer is probably "yes".

In 2015, SESD recieved a Quit Claim Deed (Utah County Entry 3187-2015) from the United States of America, by and through the Bureau of Reclamation (Public Law 113-19, 127 Stat. 485)(Act), to all right, title and interest in and to, all fixtures defined in the act, distribution fixtures, and over most real properties within the Strawberry Valley Project, situated in Utah County. In addition, SESD's existing power lines were granted an easement corridor width of 60 feet, 30 feet on each side of centerline of the powerlines. 

To determine if your property has an existing SESD easement on it, contact SESD and/or Utah County.