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 60 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, providing critical new transmission reliability in the area.

 

The new line will benefit customers and the local communities by enhancing the overall operating reliability, 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 website periodically for updated information, including the latest Vantage to Pomona Heights newsletter (PDF)and simplified map (PDF), as well as a detailed area map (PDF).

Project Timeline

This timeline is an estimate based on current available information.

  • Public outreach begins – 2008-2010
  • Transmission line routing study begins – Late fall 2008
  • Public Scoping process begins - Early 2010
  • Prepare Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - 2010
  • Selection of proposed route – 2011
  • Preliminary engineering – 2011
  • Secure needed permits – 2011
  • Secure right of way – 2011-2012
  • Construction – 2012-2013
  • Project in service – 2013

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 the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Army’s Yakima Training Center on this proposed transmission project. They serve as the joint federal lead agencies on the required National Environmental Policy Act preliminary project studies and evaluation of proposed routes, including our company’s preferred route across YTC land.

 

Our company has fully explored every option for siting a large portion of this project on YTC land, but the results of the NEPA scoping process now require our company to explore other transmission route options, which is the process we are undertaking. Public input will contribute to the preferred route and we encourage your participation.

 

As part of this process, we have scheduled the following public open houses:

 
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010                              Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010
6 to 8 p.m.                                                       6 to 8 p.m.
Red Lion Hotel/Yakima Center                         Desert Aire Multi-Purpose Building
607 East Yakima Avenue                                 504 Clubhouse Way West, Lower Level
Yakima, Wash.                                                 Mattawa, Wash.
 

Public participation

Public input continues to be a very important part of this process, and we welcome 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.

(Updated August 13, 2010)