Design and Construction

Idaho Power has the following goals while identifying and evaluating transmission line corridors for the B2H:

Avoid and/or minimize impacts to the environment to the greatest extent possible.
Develop a corridor that meets engineering and construction requirements in a fiscally responsible manner.
Connect existing and planned substations.
Solicit public comment and implement suggestions where possible.

As the project progresses and the routing is refined to a 100- to 250-foot right of way corridor, Idaho Power will work with individual landowners to discuss where best to site the transmission line towers and access roads on their land.

Design

A variety of transmission line structure designs may be used for the project. The structures will be single-circuit confiugrations on either steel lattice or steel H-frame towers.

Idaho Power follows all applicable safety codes and standards to ensure our systems operate safely and reliably. The National Electric Safety Code (NESC) is the industry–accepted safety standard which guides the design, installation, operation and maintenance of transmission lines and equipment.

If the federal and state agencies approve a transmission line route, Idaho Power will work with affected property owners to determine the exact line location and identify opportunities to reduce impacts to the property. Visit our Landowners section for more information.

The approximate proposed design standards are listed below.

Tower heights (average)

Steel lattice: 140 feet (ranges from 130 to 180 feet)
Steel H-frame: 100 feet (ranges from 100 to 130 feet)

Tower footprint

40 by 40 feet

Span length (average)

1,200 feet

Ground clearance (average)

35 feet

Right of way width (typical)

100 to 250 feet

Potential Tower Structures

Tower Heights

Transmission Lines in Perspective

Existing conditions approximately 0.5 miles from B2H’s proposed location.

Photographic simulation including B2H approximately 0.5 miles from the proposed location.

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Construction

Construction of the proposed transmission line would begin after Idaho Power receives permits from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and an Energy Facility Site Certificate from the Oregon Department of Energy’s Energy Facility Siting Council (ODOE-EFSC).

Constructing a transmission line is a big undertaking, which includes building access roads and towers, stringing lines and restoring disturbed lands. Idaho Power will oversee all transmission line and substation design and construction, and contract with construction companies to build the line.

Idaho Power will conform to all state and federal siting requirements when siting the line. Additionally, all applicable safety codes and standards will be followed to ensure our system operates safely and reliably.

Construction Sequence

Build access roads and prepare construction sites
Install tower foundations
Assemble the tower structures
String the electrical line over the towers
Restore and revegetate disturbed lands