The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has released its final environmental study of a proposed transmission line that would be build across Eastern Oregon and Southwestern Idaho.
The project is a joint venture proposed by Idaho Power Co., PacificCorp and the Bonneville Power Adminstration. The plan is to build a 500-kilovolt, single-circuit transmission line starting in Boardman and stretching across to Melba, Idaho. Utility officials say the new line is needed to provide additional power capacity in the Pacific Northwest and Western states.
The route analyzed in the EIS maximizes use of existing utility or infrastructure corridors, avoids or minimizes impacts on resources, and minimizes use of private lands, agency officials said. The deadline for filing a Land-use Plan amendment protest is Dec. 19.
