Click for larger view
Download detailed section maps at the following website: http://www.boardmantohemingway.com/idaho_power_CAP_Maps.aspx
Idaho Power moves toward next step in line location By LARRY MEYER 4/10/2010
ONTARIO — With the community advisory team process coming to a close, and Idaho Power having chosen a route to the liking of citizens and local officials in Oregon and Idaho, the process of the siting the company’s 500Kv line between northeast Oregon to southwest Idaho, is going back to state and federal agencies for route approval.
One more change was made to the proposed route endorsed at the previous team meeting — a swing to the east after the line would go west of Brogan, to bring it closer to Huntington for the protection of a sage grouse breeding habitat.
The community advisory process has been ongoing since last year, when Idaho Power faced stiff opposition in Malheur County and other counties, in Oregon and Idaho, for its initial proposed routes.
Malheur County residents primarily opposed the route over prime farming areas in the Nyssa and Adrian areas, and between Ontario and Vale, asking Idaho Power to move the line away from exclusive farm use land. In its review of proposed routes, Idaho Power officials concluded it could not get state approval for siting the line over exclusive farm use ground.
As reported, the proposed line skirts most of the farm land in Owyhee County in Idaho and Malheur County in Oregon, following the existing Pacific Power and Light line west of Owyhee Reservoir. The line cuts north in the vicinity of Vines Hill and swings just west of Brogan before going into Baker County.
One more change was made to the proposed route endorsed at the previous team meeting — a swing to the east after the line would go west of Brogan, to bring it closer to Huntington for the protection of a sage grouse breeding habitat.
The community advisory process has been ongoing since last year, when Idaho Power faced stiff opposition in Malheur County and other counties, in Oregon and Idaho, for its initial proposed routes.
Malheur County residents primarily opposed the route over prime farming areas in the Nyssa and Adrian areas, and between Ontario and Vale, asking Idaho Power to move the line away from exclusive farm use land. In its review of proposed routes, Idaho Power officials concluded it could not get state approval for siting the line over exclusive farm use ground.
As reported, the proposed line skirts most of the farm land in Owyhee County in Idaho and Malheur County in Oregon, following the existing Pacific Power and Light line west of Owyhee Reservoir. The line cuts north in the vicinity of Vines Hill and swings just west of Brogan before going into Baker County.
Kent McCarthy, Idaho Power, said the next steps will be to restart the National Environmental Policy Act process, in which the Bureau of Land Management, along with other natural resource agencies, will produce an Environmental Impact Statement and a decision on where it will or will not approve the requested action.
The power company also plans to restart the state process before the Energy Facility Siting Council. Both actions are still expected to come this spring, with the full schedule of public hearings and interim actions by the agencies before final decisions are issued.
In its decision-making process the BLM may offer alternatives to what the Idaho Power Co. has proposed.
“It is not just yes or no,” McCarthy said.
However, with the state EFSC process, alternatives are not offered, he said.
“They can only make a decision on the proposed route,” McCarthy said.
A new route would require a new process, he said.
Additionally, local residents who have been involved in the siting process are encouraged to continue their participation, because there are still opportunities to offer alternatives to the proposed route or for agencies to disapprove of the proposed route.
In its decision-making process the BLM may offer alternatives to what the Idaho Power Co. has proposed.
“It is not just yes or no,” McCarthy said.
However, with the state EFSC process, alternatives are not offered, he said.
“They can only make a decision on the proposed route,” McCarthy said.
A new route would require a new process, he said.
Additionally, local residents who have been involved in the siting process are encouraged to continue their participation, because there are still opportunities to offer alternatives to the proposed route or for agencies to disapprove of the proposed route.
“There is opportunity to submit alternate routes through the scoping process,” McCarthy said.
He warned that it is important that people follow all the way through, because if the state contests the case hearing, held before the Oregon Department of Energy, and makes the final decision, people wanting to testify must have made comment on the draft. None of the official public hearings are expected until later this summer or fall.
“We’re trying to line the process up,” McCarthy said, so there will be joint meeting and hearings.
He warned that it is important that people follow all the way through, because if the state contests the case hearing, held before the Oregon Department of Energy, and makes the final decision, people wanting to testify must have made comment on the draft. None of the official public hearings are expected until later this summer or fall.
“We’re trying to line the process up,” McCarthy said, so there will be joint meeting and hearings.
