About the Project

The Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project (B2H Project) is important to Idaho Power’s service area and the Northwest as a whole. Transmission paths are key to bringing electricity into and through the Idaho Power service area, and helping to serve other utilities.

The B2H Project would reduce constraints on the Northwest’s transmission system as demand for energy continues to grow. The transmission line would also increase transmission capacity, improve system reliability and ensure Idaho Power can provide future service for its customers as well as other utility customers in Idaho and Oregon. The new 500 kV transmission line would run from northeast Oregon to southwest Idaho.

Idaho Power is working with the BLM and the USFS during their environmental review and analysis and with the ODOE-EFSC to permit and construct this project.

Idaho Power first identified the need to pursue Pacific Northwest transmission upgrades in its 2000 and 2002 Integrated Resource Plans (IRP). The transmission line project was later identified in Idaho Power’s 2006 IRP and 2008 IRP Update. In February 2009, Idaho Power filed an addendum (IRP Addendum) to its 2006 IRP. As part of its review process, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) held public hearings on the IRP Addendum in March 2009. In April 2009, Idaho Power officially suspended its IRP Addendum review.

Idaho Power submitted its 2009 IRP to the Idaho and Oregon public utilities commissions in December 2009. The IRP addresses future energy obligations and anticipated regulation while minimizing the impact to customers and owners; includes Idaho Power’s energy efficiency programs which help balance growing energy demand with variable supply; and recognizes Idaho Power’s need to support increased economic activity and customer use. A significant component of providing reliable service to customers is securing necessary resource infrastructure, such as the B2H Project.

This Web site is the joint Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project site. Information contained on this site is approved for posting by Idaho Power. Visit the Idaho Power Web site.