About the Community Advisory Process

Idaho Power initiated the Community Advisory Process [PDF, 642 KB]in March 2009 to engage communities from Boardman, Oregon to Melba, Idaho in siting the proposed Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project (B2H Project).

CAP participants met from spring 2009 through spring 2010 to identify community issues and concerns; develop a range of possible routes (while following all federal, state and local processes); and recommend proposed and alternate routes.

Based on input, recommendations and feedback from the CAP, Idaho Power selected a proposed route in April 2010 which was submitted to the state and federal agencies for their separate review processes in summer 2010.

Idaho Power will continue to communicate with communities throughout the state and federal agencies review processes.

The initial process of identifying a route began in late 2007, when Idaho Power submitted documents to BLM, USFS and ODOE-FSEC. Following the public scoping meetings held in October 2008, these agencies received public input requesting Idaho Power conduct more extensive outreach while identifying the transmission line route. In response, in March 2009 Idaho Power initiated the CAP to engage communities in identifying proposed and alternate routes for the project.

Idaho Power conducted a comprehensive and inclusive public process [PDF, 539 KB] to locate proposed and alternate routes for the B2H Project.

• Identify community issues and concerns and develop criteria for evaluating possible routes. Integrate community’s criteria with regulatory requirements.
• Develop a range of possible routes that address community issues and concerns. Several routes will be identified through public mapping sessions. Routes that do not meet the criteria will be eliminated.
• Recommend proposed and alternate routes. The proposed and alternate routes will be carried through the siting process.
• Follow through with communities during BLM and ODOE-EFSC reviews. Idaho Power will resubmit applications to the state and federal agencies for their separate reviews.

Public involvement is a key part of the CAP. Public involvement opportunities included:

• Project advisory teams met in the geographic areas to identify issues and concerns and lead the process of recommending routes.
• Public meetings occurred at every milestone. The public will be asked to review and comment on the project advisory teams’ work. The teams will consider and incorporate public input.

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.