Pacific Power seeks input on transmission line's route

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Pacific Power is hosting two open houses this week to discuss the company's plans to build a new transmission line between Selah and Vantage.

The new, 230-kilovolt line is expected to stretch about 60 miles between the utility's Pomona Heights substation east of Selah to the Bonneville Power Administration's substation in Vantage, east of the Columbia River.

It's set to be completed in 2013, becoming the first new transmission line built to serve the area since the mid-1970s.

According to Pacific Power, the new line will help ensure the continued reliability of local electrical service and strengthen the regional transmission system.

The project was first introduced more than two years ago. Since then, the originally preferred plan of crossing federal lands has been eliminated due to aviation safety issues, sage grouse habitats and other environmental concerns.

Now the company is considering routes covering mostly private lands to the east and south of the Yakima Training Center. But the final path has yet to be determined.

Pacific Power is looking for input from the public -- including landowners, community leaders, local and state agencies, tribes and others who may be affected -- to help decide the route.

The open houses are set for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Red Lion Yakima Center, 607 E. Yakima Ave., and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Desert Aire Multi-Purpose Building, 504 Clubhouse Way W., in Mattawa.

For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net/transmission.

Comments and questions can also be directed to the toll-free project hot line at 877-620-7678 or to constructionprojects@pacificorp.com.