• Attending public meetings, gathering information and providing comments on the project.
• Obtaining information and providing comments through this joint project Web site, e-mail, postal mail, telephone or at public meetings.
• Checking Web site postings, e-mail and postal mail that will be sent at key points in the project development.
• Participating in the NEPA process, led by the BLM for this project.
• Participating in the ODOE-EFSC process, led by the Oregon Department of Energy.

Because a portion of the proposed route will cross public lands administered by the BLM and USFS, the federal agencies are evaluating the potential environmental, social and economic effects from the proposed project.

As the lead federal agency, the BLM will be responsible for environmental review of the project, on both national forest lands and public lands administered by the BLM, under the NEPA process and will prepare the environmental impact statement (EIS). The EIS is the basis for the BLM's determination whether to issue rights of way across federal lands. Additionally, coordination with other federal and state environmental and permitting agencies will also be required.

Visit the BLM's NEPA Process page for more information.

The Oregon Department of Energy-Energy Facility Siting Council (ODOE-EFSC) has regulatory and siting responsibility for large electric generating facilities, high voltage transmission lines, gas pipelines and radioactive waste disposal sites.

There are seven governor-appointed ODOE-EFSC members who have a variety of backgrounds and experiences. State-level oversight of energy facilities helps ensure that Oregon has an adequate energy supply while protecting Oregon's environment and public safety.

ODOE-EFSC oversees development of large energy facilities, and proposed facilities must go through the ODOE-EFSC process and meet the Council's siting standards to receive a site certificate to build and operate the proposed facility. In deciding whether to issue a certificate, Oregon energy facility siting statutes require public comment periods at the front end of the process, followed by a more formal contested case proceeding.

ODOE-EFSC takes into consideration not only its own standards for the certificate, but local requirements as well in making a decision on issuing a certificate. The Council's decision is binding to local agencies, so if ODOE-EFSC issues a certificate, local agencies/jurisdictions must issue the necessary permits and licenses.

There are two main phases of the process: (1) The first phase begins when a notice of intent is filed by the potential applicants, and (2) the second phase begins when an application is formally filed with ODOE-EFSC. The process ends when ODOE-EFSC decides whether to issue a certificate to an applicant.

Visit the ODOE-EFSC page to learn more.

A transmission line is used to conduct electricity between two points. Without high voltage transmission lines, generation would have to be located at or near where the energy is used.

The electrical energy must go through numerous transformations between the generator and its end use, for example:

• A generator might produce electricity at 15 kilovolts (kV). A transformer will step this voltage up to a suitable transmission voltage, say 345 kV. Once the energy reaches a load area, such as the Treasure Valley in Idaho, the voltage is stepped back down at a source substation to a lower voltage (230 kV) for transmission within the load area.
• The 230 kV electricity is transmitted to hub substations throughout the area where it is transformed to 138 kV volts.
• The 138 kV electricity is transmitted to lower voltage distribution substations located closer to the end use where it is again stepped down to a lower voltage (13.8 kV).
• From this substation, the electricity is transmitted via distribution feeders (low voltage transmission lines) to individual transformers where the voltage is stepped down to its end use voltage and then fed into homes and businesses.

Extra-high voltage (230 kV; 345 kV; 500 kV) – Used for transmitting electrical energy over great distances

• Higher voltage lines are more efficient than lower voltage lines. A higher voltage transmission line will result in fewer losses than a transmission line with a lower voltage.
• Higher voltage lines often have "bundled" conductors, meaning that multiple wires are hung from the same insulator. This increases the amount of power that can be carried on a single circuit.
• The Idaho Power system loses between two and three percent of its energy due to line losses on the extra-high voltage transmission.

Sub-transmission lines (69 kV; 138 kV; 161 kV) – Used for transmitting electrical energy between substations that are close to one another (up to approximately 100 miles). These lines will typically not carry as much energy as the extra-high voltage lines.

Distribution lines (13.8 kV; 34.5 kV) – Used for transmitting energy to its end use, including commercial facilities, small factories or a small transformer outside a group of houses

A substation is used to transform one voltage to another and for protecting and controlling transmission and distribution lines.

Substations are used to raise voltages for long distance transmission and to lower transmission voltages for distribution to the end users. Without substations, generation would have to be located very close to the customer load.

Electrical lines and facilities are a necessary part of the infrastructure within any community, just like roads, water and sewer facilities. Much like our highway system, Idaho Power's 24,000-square-mile power-line grid is made up of high capacity transmission and low capacity distribution lines. The high capacity transmission lines operate somewhat like interstate highways and freeways that move a large volume of vehicle traffic. Electricity flows on this electric "freeway" to a substation, where it is reduced to a lower voltage and sent out again on distribution lines. These lower capacity distribution lines operate like streets and avenues that crisscross communities and neighborhoods. Many are needed to get from one destination to another.

The power supplied to the new transmission lines will come from a variety of sources including hydroelectric, geothermal, natural gas, coal and wind resources.

This project does not propose to build any new energy generation facilities. It is focused on transmitting electricity between generating sources and delivery points to maintain service reliability throughout the region.

By law, it is the responsibility of Idaho Power to provide power to customers by the least-cost alternative and the most affordable industry standard is overhead power lines. It is not uncommon today for smaller distribution lines in a new residential subdivision, for example, to be installed underground at the expense of the developer. The cost to install underground facilities can be many times that of overhead lines. The state public utility commissions have typically directed that these additional costs be borne by those that benefit or cause them to be incurred. Therefore, the cost of placing the lines underground becomes the responsibility of the developer or the homeowner. In the case of the smaller distribution lines, the extra cost may be manageable for those who request it.

Other constraints in using underground lines include:

• Higher voltage lines likes those planned for this project are significantly more expensive and stretch for hundreds of miles; construction and material costs would significantly increase electrical rates for consumers.
• A great deal more ground disturbance is required to construct underground rather than overhead facilities.
• While reliability for underground lines and overhead lines is similar, repairing underground cables is more expensive and much more time consuming. An underground conductor may last only 20 years, whereas an overhead line can last as long as 100 years.

Idaho Power will work with individual landowners to try and coordinate the timing of construction to minimize short-term impacts to agriculture. Over the long term, most agricultural activities can proceed with the transmission line in place.

Yes, but there are some safety issues to be aware of:

• Line breaking – This can happen at any voltage level but is very infrequent and is generally the result of a vehicle colliding with a power pole. Safety devices such as circuit breakers are in place on the electrical system to detect such an event and open to disconnect power. If protective devices fail to open the circuit, a line lying in the road can be live and pose a serious risk of injury or death if someone comes in contact with it. Idaho Power reminds the public to always stay away from a downed power line and call the local electric company immediately.
• Fires caused by malfunctions or animal contact with power lines – Infrequently, a connection device will fail on a power pole and cause it to burn, resulting in a fire. More frequently, a small animal or bird will contact live distribution or transmission lines causing a brush or forest fire.
• Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) – EMFs are invisible forces created by any electric charge. The word electromagnetic is a combination of two words; electro (electric) and magnetic. Electric fields are the result of the strength (voltage) of the electric charge. Magnetic fields are the result of the motion (current) of the charge. Wherever electricity is used, EMFs are present. Since the early 1970s, extensive research has been performed to determine if EMFs pose health risks. Idaho Power agrees with the overwhelming body of research that shows EMF is not detrimental to human or animal health.

The property tax paid to each county by Idaho Power is based upon the county's share of Idaho Power's total assessed market value determined by the state taxing agency for its property located throughout the entire state (referred to as the company's state market value). Each county's share or allocation of the company's state market value is based upon the cost of Idaho Power's property investments located in that county. If all other things remaining constant the more property investments the company makes in a county the more market value it will receive resulting in additional property tax the company will pay in that county.