PROJECTS

ENERGY
Transmission

Populus to Ben Lomond 345kV Transmission Project

PacifiCorp (Rocky Mountain Power) retained EPG to conduct feasibility studies, identify proposed and alternative routes, and obtain all necessary permits and approvals required by federal, state, and local government agencies for construction of a new double-circuit 345kV transmission line project. The project is approximately 88 miles long and extends from the new Populus substation in southern Idaho to the Ben Lomond substation in southern Box Elder County, Utah. As part of determining initial feasibility and permitting requirements for the project, EPG developed a study area base map; gathered data to determine existing right-of-way easements, including fee-owned land and parcel information; conducted land use and visual resources inventories; obtained relevant planning documents; conducted an assessment of wetlands within the study area; researched culturally significant sites and historical resources; and summarized opportunities, constraints, and key issues for the project. EPG developed a feasibility report to ensure development of an accurate environmental permitting scope of work, cost estimate, and schedule for future activities associated with obtaining necessary federal, state, and local government approvals for the project.

Following initial efforts for the project, EPG conducted detailed route and substation site investigations to help determine environmental, engineering, public/agency issues, and estimated costs associated with each alternative. To gather input on the project, EPG conducted an extensive public and agency involvement program; involving 5 counties, 15 municipalities, and federal and state land management agencies, including the U.S.Fish & Wildlife Service and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Newsletters were prepared for the project and six public open house meetings were conducted. In addition to the routing study, EPG obtained conditional use permits from local government agencies, coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Section 404 permitting, and prepared an Environmental Assessment, Biological Assessment, and right-of-way easement application for crossing the state-managed Brigham Face Wildlife Management Area. EPG obtained the various permits and approvals to meet an aggressive construction schedule. Construction of the Populus to Ben Lomond transmission line began in February 2009 and is scheduled for completion in December 2010.

Ben Lomond to Terminal 345kV Transmission Project

EPG was retained by PacifiCorp (Rocky Mountain Power) to obtain all necessary permits and approvals required by federal, state, and local government agencies for construction of a new 46-mile 345kV transmission line project between the Ben Lomond substation in southern Box Elder County and the Terminal substation in Salt Lake City, Utah. The project crosses through 4 counties and 12 cities that required conditional use permits be acquired prior to construction. EPG staff also worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure that the project met all requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act pertaining to sensitive wetland areas. This work required conducting necessary cultural and biological surveys and preparation of Pre-Construction Notification Applications.

EPG staff assisted Rocky Mountain Power in creating a public participation program, which emphasized local community involvement during the planning process. The public involvement program included a project newsletter and fact sheet, numerous community leader and stakeholder briefings, planning director meetings, monitoring of the project message line and website, and tracking and responding to public comments. Construction of the Ben Lomond to Terminal transmission line began in February 2009 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2010.