Gateway West

The proposed route for Gateway West's Windstar to Populus segment extends from eastern Wyoming to a transmission hub, the Populus substation, near Downey, Idaho. The proposed route for the Populus to Hemingway segment continues from the Populus substation across the state to the Hemingway substation southwest of Boise, Idaho.

Project Timeline

  • Public Scoping – June 2008
  • Environmental Impact Statement – 2007 - 2013
  • Public outreach – June 2008 through project completion
  • Permitting and obtaining rights of way – 2011 - 2016
  • Estimated line in service for customers – 2019 - 2023
     

Additional Information About the Project

Under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Bureau of Land Management is currently developing an Environmental Impact Statement on Gateway West. The BLM released its final EIS on April 26, 2013, opening a 60-day comment period with public meetings from May 6-16, 2013. The next step is when the BLM issues a Record of Decision this summer, providing an easement for the project.

The EIS process began in June 2008 with Public Scoping meetings. The BLM published its draft EIS July 29, 2011, initiating a 90-day public comment period that was completed Oct. 28, 2011. During this period, BLM held 17 public open house meetings in various communities along the proposed and alternate routes. In August 2012, the BLM identified the agency-preferred alternative routes for Gateway West, after reviewing changes made in February 2012 by PacifiCorp and Idaho Power, considering comments submitted on the draft EIS, and coordinating with state, local and federal governments and agencies. See below for additional information on public participation and project history, and visit the BLM's website for more information.

Public Participation

On April 26, 2013, the BLM issued a final EIS for the Gateway West project, initiating a 60-day public comment period that closes June 25, 2013. More information, including details on public meetings scheduled from May 6-16, 2013 can be found on the BLM's website.

Public input is an important part of the transmission line development process and is welcomed at all stages. In addition to public, group and individual meetings, project materials and newsletters also have been sent to landowners and other interested parties throughout this process.

To be placed on the mailing list or to submit an official public comment on the Gateway West Transmission Line Project, please contact the BLM directly at:

Bureau of Land Management
Gateway West Project
P. O. Box 20879
Cheyenne, WY 82003
Or email Gateway_West_WYMail@blm.gov

To contact Rocky Mountain Power about this transmission project, please call the major construction projects message line at 801-220-4221, or email ConstructionProjects@pacificorp.com. Please be sure to include the project name – "Gateway West project" – in your inquiry.

Gateway West


Updated maps can be viewed below:

Further information also can be found on our latest Gateway West newsletter (PDF) or at our Gateway West website. 

Project History


2007

  • May – PacifiCorp and Idaho Power filed an application with the BLM for an easement across federal lands.

2008

  • Throughout the year – Both companies met with elected officials, community leaders and other interested parties to brief them on the project.
  • May 12 - Notice of Intent is issued by the BLM to notify the public that the public process for the project had begun.
  • June – BLM held nine public scoping meetings.
  • December - Companies held nine landowner meetings.

2009

  • Throughout the year – Companies continued to meet with elected officials, community leaders and other interested parties to brief them on the status of the project.
  • January - Application filed with BLM to perform geotechnical studies along the routes.
  • March through November - Companies held public landowner meetings in various communities throughout Idaho and Wyoming.
  • July – More than 6,300 newsletters (PDF) sent to landowners and interested parties providing information about the project.

2010

  • July - Environmental Assessment for Geotechnical Drilling released by BLM with finding of no significant impact.
  • August –More than 11,400 newsletters (PDF) sent to landowners and interested parties providing an update on the project.
  • September - BLM approved right of way grant to allow for geotechnical studies to be conducted on BLM-managed land.

2011

  • Throughout the year – Companies continued to meet with elected officials, community leaders and other interested parties to brief them on the status of the project.
  • January – More than 10,300 newsletters (PDF) sent to landowners and interested parties providing an update on the project.
  • July 29 - BLM published in Federal Register a Notice of Availability announcing draft EIS release, followed by a 90-day public comment period.
  • September/October 2011 - BLM hosted 17 public open houses on the draft EIS throughout the project area.
  • October 28 – Draft EIS public comment period closed.

2012

  • Throughout the year – Companies continued to meet with elected officials, community leaders and other interested parties to brief them on the status of the project.
  • August - The BLM identified agency preferred alternatives.
  • September – More than 9,300 newsletters (PDF) sent to landowners and interested parties providing an update on the project.
  • November - The final EIS is expected to be released by the BLM before the end of 2012.

2013

  • April - The BLM issued a final EIS.
  • May - The BLM hosted a series of public open houses throughout the project area.
  • A Record of Decision (ROD) is expected in Summer 2013.


Next Steps

  • Companies continue to meet with elected officials, community leaders and other interested parties.
  • Continue with field work and permitting activities.
     

(Updated May 9, 2013)