NEWS ARCHIVE

07/28/10 - BLM, USFS and ODOE Announce Joint Comment Deadline
With publication of the BLM and USFS Revised Notice of Intent in the Federal Register, the state and federal agencies have agreed upon a joint comment deadline. Scoping comments must be submitted by September 27, 2010.

07/23/10 - Idaho Power Announces New B2H Project Manager
Idaho Power has promoted Keith Georgeson as the new B2H Project Manager. Keith joined the project earlier this year and replaces interim manager Doug Dockter. Keith has experience working on energy siting projects with a variety of government and community stakeholders.

07/16/10 - ODOE, BLM and USFS to Host Public Meetings in August
The Oregon Department of Energy, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service have reopened the public comment period for Idaho Power’s proposed Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project. These agencies encourage you to attend public scoping and information meetings in August, and to submit comments about the project by September 20, 2010. For a complete list of meeting dates, times and locations, visit the calendar.

07/15/10 - Idaho Power Conducting Helicopter Surveys
Idaho Power will be flying the proposed route for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project on Thursday, July 15 and Friday, July 16 to gather visual data for line routing purposes. The aerial surveys will cover areas from Marsing, Idaho to La Grande, Oregon on Thursday, and then from La Grande to Boardman, Oregon on Friday. Please contact Idaho Power if you have any questions.

07/12/10 - Idaho Power Submits New NOI to ODOE
Idaho Power has submitted its new Notice of Intent (NOI) to Submit an Application for Site Certificate to the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). ODOE will co-host public meetings about the project with the Bureau of Land Management in August. Stay tuned for updates on meeting dates and times!

06/30/10 - Idaho Power Submits Revised Federal Applications
Idaho Power submitted its revised Standard-Form 299 (SF-299) application and Preliminary Plan of Development to the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service to reinitiate the federal review process. Visit the Documents page to review the revised application documents.

06/25/10 - CAP Open Houses Scheduled for July
Idaho Power will host open houses in several communities as part of Idaho Power’s Community Advisory Process from July 13 to 22. View the Calendar for meeting details.

04/21/10 - CAP PAT Meetings Scheduled for April and May
Idaho Power will meet with Project Advisory Teams in late April and early May to discuss the proposed route and share information about future public participation opportunities. Visit the Upcoming Events calendar for meeting details.

04/06/10 - Idaho Power Presents Proposed Route

Idaho Power will submit the eastern route alternative as its proposed route in its revised right of way application (SF-299) to the Bureau of Land Management. This route is one of three alternatives developed through the Community Advisory Process.

Idaho Power will host Project Advisory Team meetings in late April to discuss the proposed route and how it was chosen. They will also provide information about how to stay involved during the state and federal permitting processes.

04/03/10 - Project Advisory Team Meeting Summaries Available
The March 2010 Project Advisory Team (PAT) meeting summaries, as well as a summary comparison of Idaho Power’s proposed route alternatives, are now available. The summaries include comments on Idaho Power’s three proposed route alternatives. Idaho Power is using this input to inform its selection of a proposed route for the state and federal permitting processes. Idaho Power plans to present its preferred route decision by April 6.

03/26/10 - ODOE Names New B2H Project Manager
The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) has named Sue Oliver as its new B2H Energy Facility Analyst. Sue works at the ODOE Eastern Oregon Office in Hermiston, and has attended Idaho Power’s Community Advisory Process meetings throughout the winter. Sue replaces Adam Bless who is moving on to other projects in western Oregon.

03/26/10 - Idaho Power Announces New B2H Project Manager
Idaho Power has announced that Doug Dockter will be the new B2H Project Manager. Doug is experienced in working with agencies, communities and other stakeholders on energy projects, and looks forward to the opportunity.

03/24/10 - Join Idaho Power for a Public Meeting
Idaho Power representatives will be available to meet with members of Grant County communities on March 31 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Community Hall. In this public meeting, Idaho Power representatives will provide updates on the investigation surrounding the March 2 incident at The Outpost and further engage discussions regarding the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project. Visit the Upcoming Events calendar for meeting details.

03/12/10 - Idaho Power’s Revised Route Alternatives
Based on detailed analysis of CAP-recommended routes, Idaho Power has proposed three route alternatives. Visit the CAP Maps page to learn more.

02/24/10 - Detailed Analysis on CAP Routes Now Available
Idaho Power has analyzed the revised CAP routes and has identified which routes are considered to be the most reasonable. The routes and associated analysis will be discussed during the CAP Project Advisory Team meetings in March. Visit the CAP Maps page to learn more.

02/22/10 - CAP PAT Meetings Announced for March
Idaho Power will present updated CAP routes during its next round of PAT meetings in March. Maps showing the updated CAP routes will be posted to the CAP Maps page once available – please check back soon. Visit the Upcoming Events page for meeting times and locations.

01/15/10 - CAP Grant and Harney County PAT Meetings Scheduled for Jan. 19-20
Idaho Power will hold Grant and Harney County PAT meetings on Jan. 19 and 20, respectively, to discuss the initial analysis of the PAT proposed routes. For more information, visit the South Project Advisory Team page.

01/14/10 - Idaho Power Files 2009 Integrated Resource Plan
Idaho Power submitted its 2009 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to the Idaho and Oregon public utilities commissions in December 2009. The 2009 IRP is the roadmap describing how Idaho Power plans to meet current and future energy needs over the next 20 years. For more information about the IRP, visit Idaho Power’s 2009 IRP page.

01/07/10 - ODOE EMF Report Available
Learn more about the current state of science on electric and magnetic fields (EMF) by viewing the Oregon Department of Energy’s EMF Report: A Review of the Current Scientific Literature on Health Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields. The report is available on the Further Reading page.

12/15/09 - CAP “Refined” Routes Available for Review
The three Project Advisory Teams (PATs) met this fall to begin developing initial proposed routes. Idaho Power’s technical team has reviewed and refined these initial routes following an assessment of potential permitability, constructability and cost. These refined routes and the preliminary evaluation criteria are available for review on the CAP Maps page.

12/11/09 - BLM Names New B2H Project Manager
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has named John Styduhar as its new B2H Federal Project Manager. John is located at the Oregon State BLM Office in Portland. John replaces Lucas Lucero, who has transitioned into his new position as Right-of-Way Manager for the BLM in Washington D.C.

12/04/09 - CAP South PAT Meeting Scheduled for Dec. 8
The South Project Advisory Team (PAT) will meet on Dec. 8 to discuss the initial analysis of the PAT proposed routes. For more information about the meeting, view the agenda.

12/01/09 - CAP Central PAT Meeting Rescheduled to Dec. 17
The Central Project Advisory Team (PAT) meeting date has been rescheduled to Dec. 17. For more information, visit the Central PAT page.

11/25/09 - CAP PAT Meetings Set for December
Idaho Power will meet with the Project Advisory Teams in December to discuss the project and potential routes. Check out the Upcoming Events calendar for more information.

10/23/09 - CAP Initial Proposed Routes Available
The three Project Advisory Teams (PATs) met this fall to begin mapping proposed routes. Their initial proposed routes are available for review on the CAP Maps page. These routes are currently undergoing technical review and will be refined during the next series of PAT meetings and subsequent public meetings.

10/16/09 - Idaho Power's Photo/Video Gallery Launched
View videos related to planning the B2H project, agricultural operations near transmission lines and more by visiting Idaho Power's new Photo/Video Gallery.

10/13/09 - CAP Open Houses in Oregon, Oct. 21-22
Idaho Power will host open houses in John Day and Burns, Oregon on Oct. 21 and 22, respectively. Visit Idaho Power’s Public Meetings page for meeting details.

09/24/09 - Protecting Workers Near Overhead Power Lines
Want to learn more about how to protect yourself and your coworkers when working near overhead power lines? Visit Idaho Power’s Power Line Safety page for the specifics in Idaho and Oregon.

09/15/09 - CAP Project Advisory Teams to Meet About Routes
The three Boardman to Hemingway Project Advisory Teams will meet over the next three weeks to identify preliminary routes. Members of the public are encouraged to share their routing ideas with PAT members, county planners or Idaho Power representatives for inclusion in the discussions. The preliminary routes will be available for review at public meetings planned for this fall. Visit Idaho Power's Project Advisory Teams page to view meeting dates and information.

08/24/09 - CAP Public Meetings in Idaho and Oregon, Aug. 25-27
Idaho Power will host public meetings in Parma, Idaho on Aug. 25, in Marsing, Idaho on Aug. 26 and in Ontario, Oregon on Aug. 27. Visit Idaho Power’s Public Meetings page for meeting details.

08/18/09 - Project Glossary Now Available
What is Idaho Power’s “Community Advisory Process?” Visit our new project Glossary to view key terms and their definitions.

08/17/09 - CAP Public Meetings in Oregon, Aug. 19-20
Idaho Power will host public meetings in Pilot Rock on Aug. 19 and in Boardman on Aug. 20. Visit Idaho Power’s Public Meetings page for meeting details.

08/10/09 - CAP Public Meetings in Oregon, Aug. 12-13
Idaho Power will host public meetings in Baker City on Aug. 12 and in La Grande on Aug. 13. Visit Idaho Power’s Public Meetings page for meeting details.

08/06/09 - Public Invited to Community Advisory Process Meetings
Idaho Power will hold the first round of public meetings for its Community Advisory Process from Aug. 12-27. Participants will have an opportunity to learn more about the project, review and provide input on criteria for evaluating transmission line routes and speak to Idaho Power representatives. Visit Idaho Power’s Public Meetings page to learn more.

07/23/09 - Project Advisory Team Materials Available
Interested in what goes on during Idaho Power’s Project Advisory Team (PAT) meetings? Visit Idaho Power’s north, central and south PAT pages to review meeting agendas, materials and summaries.

07/23/09 - Community Advisory Process: Public Meetings in August
Idaho Power will hold the first round of public meetings for its Community Advisory Process in August. Visit Idaho Power’s Public Meetings page to learn more.

07/17/09 - Upcoming CAP Project Advisory Team Meetings – Schedule Revised!
Please revise your calendars and save the dates. The second round of project advisory team (PAT) meetings will be held in Ontario (July 28), Baker City (July 29) and Hermiston, Oregon (July 30). For meeting information, visit the Project Advisory Team page. Check back for updates about Idaho Power's CAP.

07/09/09 - CAP Project Advisory Teams to Meet in Late July
Project advisory teams will meet in Ontario, Hermiston and Baker City, Oregon on July 28, 29 and 30, respectively, for the second round of CAP meetings. For meeting information, visit the Project Advisory Team page. Check back for updates about Idaho Power's CAP.

06/25/09 - Project Library Now Available
Looking for ODOE-EFSC’s Project Order or other project documents? Look no further than the new project Library. Explore the Library to view project materials, meeting information and resources for further reading.

06/02/09 - Community Advisory Process Meetings Under Way
Project advisory teams in Ontario and Boardman, Oregon met in May to kick-off Idaho Power’s Community Advisory Process. During these meetings, attendees learned about the project, reviewed work done to-date and began identifying issues and concerns related to the project. One more kick-off meeting will be held on June 4 in Baker City, Oregon. For more information, view the CAP News section.

05/27/09 - Learn More About Oregon’s Energy Facility Siting Process
Interested in learning more about Oregon’s Energy Facility Siting Process? An ODOE representative attending Idaho Power’s Community Advisory Process meetings will be available to visit informally with members of the public to discuss the process. For more information, visit the ODOE-EFSC page.

05/21/09 - Idaho Power Announces Community Advisory Process Meeting Dates
Idaho Power’s Community Advisory Process (CAP) will hold its first round of Project Advisory Team meetings during the next few weeks. For meeting information, visit the Project Advisory Team page. Check back for more updates about the CAP.

05/19/09 - B2H In-Service Date Rescheduled for 2015
Idaho Power has formally changed the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project in-service date to 2015. The change is shown on the updated project schedule and reflects Idaho Power’s commitment to its Community Advisory Process.

05/11/09 - BLM Publishes Public Scoping Report
The BLM has published the Public Scoping Report for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project. The Public Scoping Report includes the period from September 12, 2008 through February 20, 2009. It documents outreach efforts, summarizes the comments received and identifies issues raised and suggested alternative routes.

05/06/09 - BLM/ODOE Publish Spring 2009 Newsletter
The BLM and the ODOE have published the first issue of the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project newsletter – the B2H Newswire. This issue includes information on the project status, public scoping phase, environmental review process and more.

05/06/09 - Learn About Idaho Power's Community Advisory Process
To learn about Idaho Power’s Community Advisory Process, view the new Community Advisory Process section of the B2H project Web site. Meeting announcements, materials and other information related to the Community Advisory Process will be posted here once available.

04/29/09 - ODOE-EFSC to Hold Informational Meeting on May 14 in Baker City
The Oregon Department of Energy-Energy Facility Siting Council (ODOE-EFSC) will host an informational meeting on the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project on May 14, 2009 at Community Connections (2810 Cedar St.) in Baker City, Oregon beginning at 6 p.m. The focus of this meeting is to brief EFSC members on project-related issues and status. There will also be an opportunity for public comment. No actions will be taken and no decisions will be made at this informal meeting. For more information about the ODOE-EFSC, visit our process page.

04/24/09 - BLM and ODOE involvement in Idaho Power’s Community Advisory Process
The BLM and the ODOE will attend Idaho Power’s Community Advisory Process (CAP) meetings, as requested. The agencies will be available during the meetings to: provide information about state and federal resource issues, explain their review processes in more detail, clarify the state and federal statutes and rules that the project must meet and answer questions from CAP participants.

04/23/09 - Idaho Power forms Project Advisory Teams

Idaho Power is beginning to form Project Advisory Teams for its Community Advisory Process (CAP). The Project Advisory Teams, with input from the public, will ultimately recommend proposed and alternative routes for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project. For more information, view Idaho Power’s Project Advisory Team update. Check back for more updates about the CAP.

04/03/09 - Idaho Power removes Sand Hollow Station from the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project

In conjunction with the Community Advisory Process (CAP), Idaho Power has removed the Sand Hollow Station from the project and the CAP. Idaho Power has notified the Bureau of Land Management and the Oregon Department of Energy-Energy Facility Siting Council of this decision.

For more information view the Idaho Power letters to the BLM and ODOE-EFSC. Check back for updates.

03/09/09 - Idaho Power announces community advisory process

Idaho Power today announced the coordination of a community advisory process to site the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Project. The purpose of establishing the process is to engage and further include members of the local communities from Boardman, OR to Murphy, ID in the siting of this significant regional transmission project.

For more information view the Idaho Power press release.

01/28/09 - ODOE publishes Project Order

On January 26, 2009, the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) published its Project Order for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project. The Project Order reflects comments about the project from government agencies and the public, and details the information that must be contained in Idaho Power’s application for site certificate. Please note, the Project Order is not a decision on the Boardman to Hemingway Project.

Please note there is no formal comment period for the Project Order. However, any comments you send to the ODOE will be reviewed for issues that have yet to be raised. The Project Order can be revised to include these new issues. ODOE can update the Project Order at any time, even after the application has been submitted.

ODOE expects to hold public meetings in the spring of 2009, so check back often for meeting dates!

11/07/08 - Meeting maps available and comment period reminder

The Bureau of Land Management and Oregon Department of Energy held six public scoping meetings in October 2008. The maps used during those meetings are now available.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: While the first public comment period for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project closes on November 14, comments received after that date will still be considered in the identification of significant issues and development of alternatives to the proposed corridor. The concern for “standing” raised by some members of the public is not determined this early in the project analysis – the public will have more opportunities for comment and to be recognized for standing later in the process.

10/21/08 - Public Scoping Meetings Start

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will hold public scoping meetings October 21-30 at six locations in Idaho and Oregon which are detailed on the Public Involvement page. During the scoping meetings you can review the project, ask questions and submit comments to the BLM and ODOE.

09/29/08 - BLM-ODOE Joint Notification Mailed

The BLM and ODOE mailed their joint meeting notification on September 25.

The joint meeting notification encourages public comment for the BLM and ODOE. The notice also invites the public to scoping meetings in October.

09/22/08 - BLM/ODOE announce public meeting dates

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will host public scoping/information meetings for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project from October 21 through October 30, 2008 in Oregon and Idaho. The meetings will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with formal presentations at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. At the meetings you can learn more about the project, ask questions and make comments on the BLM Notice of Intent and the Idaho Power Company Notice of Intent submittal for ODOE.

Visit the Public Involvement for the dates and locations.

09/19/08 - BLM/ODOE announce public meeting dates

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will host public scoping/information meetings for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project from October 21 through October 30, 2008 in Oregon and Idaho. The meetings will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with formal presentations at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. At the meetings you can learn more about the project, ask questions and make comments. Visit the Public Involvement for the dates and locations.

09/12/08 - BLM publishes Notice of Intent in Federal Register

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published its Notice of Intent to prepare and environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Boardman to Hemingway project, and possible land use amendments in the Federal Register on September 12, 2008. The publication of the NOI initiates a public scoping period through November 14, 2008. During this time the BLM requests your comments and invites you to attend public scoping meetings on this project.

The BLM will co-host public information/scoping meetings with the Oregon Department of Energy in late October 2008. The meeting dates are being finalized and will be posted soon. Check back soon!

09/05/08 - Idaho Power Company submits NOI to ODOE

On August 28, 2008, Idaho Power Company submitted its Notice of Intent to Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) to submit an Application for Site Certificate for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project. Submit your comments on the NOI.

ODOE will co-host public information meetings with the Bureau of Land Management in fall 2008. Check back often for the meeting schedule!

HELPFUL SHORTCUTS



COMMON ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS
BLM: Bureau of Land Management | CAP: Community Advisory Process | EFSC: Energy Facility Siting Council | EIS: Environmental Impact Statement | kV: kilovolt
NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act | ODOE: Oregon Department of Energy | USFS: United States Forest Service