Informational meetings have now been held in Grant and Harney counties in Oregon. We haven't heard of any additional meetings to be held in Idaho counties.
http://burnstimesherald.info/2009/10/28/idaho-power-proposes-four-route-options-for-transmission-line/
Over the next 20 years energy consumption in the United States is expected to increase by 0.5 percent. To keep ahead of the anticipated need, Idaho Power has proposed construction of a 500 kV transmission line from the Boardman Substation to a new substation in Melba, Idaho, called the Hemingway Substation.
To initiate the proposed project, called the Boardman to Hemingway Project, Idaho Power has begun the siting process, which includes accepting public input. Before developing a route for the lines Idaho Power consideration must be given to the regulatory and engineering criteria, as well as community criteria. At this point, four basic route options have been mapped, with sub-options stemming from these.
One of the options would site the transmission lines through the northwestern portion of Harney County. As it is currently mapped, after this route leaves Boardman and goes through Grant County, five alternate routes have been suggested.
The next step in the planning process will be compiling input and suggestions from the communities involved. Open house meetings were held in John Day and Burns last week to help Idaho Power get a broader scope of what the communities are thinking. Advisory committees from the areas will begin meeting in the next two weeks, to review comments and ideas.
“Our first objective is to find a route that is permitable,” said David Angell, delivery planning manager for Idaho Power. “We’re looking for an acceptable route with the least impact.”
. . . Idaho Power has estimated that the project will be in the construction phase by January 2013, and the line will be in service by June 2015.
Over the next 20 years energy consumption in the United States is expected to increase by 0.5 percent. To keep ahead of the anticipated need, Idaho Power has proposed construction of a 500 kV transmission line from the Boardman Substation to a new substation in Melba, Idaho, called the Hemingway Substation.
To initiate the proposed project, called the Boardman to Hemingway Project, Idaho Power has begun the siting process, which includes accepting public input. Before developing a route for the lines Idaho Power consideration must be given to the regulatory and engineering criteria, as well as community criteria. At this point, four basic route options have been mapped, with sub-options stemming from these.
One of the options would site the transmission lines through the northwestern portion of Harney County. As it is currently mapped, after this route leaves Boardman and goes through Grant County, five alternate routes have been suggested.
The next step in the planning process will be compiling input and suggestions from the communities involved. Open house meetings were held in John Day and Burns last week to help Idaho Power get a broader scope of what the communities are thinking. Advisory committees from the areas will begin meeting in the next two weeks, to review comments and ideas.
“Our first objective is to find a route that is permitable,” said David Angell, delivery planning manager for Idaho Power. “We’re looking for an acceptable route with the least impact.”
. . . Idaho Power has estimated that the project will be in the construction phase by January 2013, and the line will be in service by June 2015.
