Vantage to Pomona Heights

Project Overview

Our company is always working to provide safe, reliable electric service to our customers, and to support the needs of the region. As part of this commitment, we are planning a new transmission line in Washington.

The proposed 40 mile, 230-kilovolt line will connect the existing Bonneville Power Administration power substation near Vantage and our company's Pomona Heights power substation near Selah. The new line will benefit customers and the local communities by enhancing the overall operating flexibility and security of the regional electricity transmission grid.

Our company understands how important it is to develop this project in cooperation with area communities and residents, and to coordinate with the planning efforts of local, state and federal agencies. We're committed to working to minimize impacts to the community and the environment from project development, construction and maintenance.

Check this Web site periodically for updated information, including the latest Vantage to Pomona Heights newsletter (PDF) and map (PDF).

Project Timeline

This timeline is an estimate based on current available information.

  • Public outreach begins – Late fall 2008
  • Transmission line routing study begins– Late fall 2008
  • Public Scoping process begins - Early 2010
  • Prepare Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - 2010
  • Selection of proposed route – 2010
  • Preliminary engineering –  2010
  • Secure needed permits – 2011
  • Secure right of way – 2011
  • Construction – 2011-2012
  • Project in service – Late 2012

Additional Information About the Project

Since the initial public open house in December 2008, the company has reviewed feedback, continued its review of the need for the line, and worked with potentially affected landowners on routing issues. It has led to development of two other proposed routes to consider for this line.

Because two of the three proposed routes cross federal lands, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Army are co-leading efforts to develop an Environmental Impact Statement for this project.
 
As part of this process, the BLM and U.S. Army have scheduled the following public open houses:
 
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010                                Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010
6 to 8 p.m.                                                       6 to 8 p.m.
Selah Civic Center                                            Mattawa Elementary School Cafeteria
216 S. 1st Street                                              400 N. Boundary
Selah, Wash.                                                    Mattawa, Wash.
 

Public participation

Public input continues to be a very important part of this process, and Pacific Power welcomes your comments at all stages of this transmission line development. For more information, please call us toll free at 1-877-620-7678 or e-mail  ConstructionProjects@pacificorp.com. Please be sure to include the project name – "Vantage to Pomona Heights" – in your inquiry.

To make official comments or for more information regarding the environmental impact statement process, please visit www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/plans/vph230.php, contact the BLM at 509-665-2100 or e-mail Wenatchee_mail@blm.gov.
 
(Updated Jan. 13, 2010)