Blueprint South transmission line project
PacifiCorp proposes to build a new 500-kilovolt transmission line in south-central Oregon through a portion of Deschutes, Crook, Klamath and Lake counties. The new 180-mile-long line will connect several existing substations and two proposed new substations between the Powell Butte area and southern Klamath County. PacifiCorp operates as Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington and northern California, and as Rocky Mountain Power in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.
Need and benefits
Energy consumption throughout the region continues to grow. This line will help reduce transmission system constraints and add capacity to serve the growing needs of customers, businesses and industries. The project also will enable integration of renewable energy sources, enhance reliability and support economic development in Oregon and the region.
Location routing study and maps
PacifiCorp is conducting a study to develop, examine and evaluate various potential options to identify a viable route for the transmission line. Through the study, PacifiCorp aims to identify the route where the line will have the least impact on communities, land uses, and the environment while also meeting engineering and safety standards. The project map below shows preliminary alternative routes, which are subject to change based on further analysis and input from customers, communities and stakeholders. The routing study began in late 2023 and is anticipated to conclude in late 2025.
Typical structure type
- Voltage: 500 kV
- Length: Approximately 180 miles
- Structure types: Steel lattice, single circuit
- Structure height: 160-180 feet
- Span between structures: 800-1,400 feet
- Right-of-way width: 250 feet
Public outreach
PacifiCorp values insight from the public and is committed to keeping the public informed as the project develops. PacifiCorp has integrated public outreach and engagement throughout the routing study, which includes briefings to local officials, convening two Community Work Groups to work with the project team through the routing study, initial meetings with key federal and state agencies, small-group meetings and hosting public open house meetings at key milestones of the project.
Open house meetings
The first round of 2025 public open house meetings is complete.
PacifiCorp hosted public open house meetings in March and April 2025 to introduce the project and its current status, solicit input from the public at this early stage of the project and explain next steps. Six meetings were hosted in person at locations in the vicinity of the preliminary alternative route study corridors and one meeting was hosted as a virtual option for people unable to attend in person. Notifications were sent to property owners in the corridors and other stakeholders, and announcements of the meetings were published in local newspapers.
Project team members were available to discuss the project and answer questions, and computer map stations were available for visitors to view their properties relative to the project. In addition, and by request, team members met with Economic Development of Central Oregon, City of Bend and interested property owners from the Brasada Ranch, Pilot Butte, Somerset and Sundance communities along the preliminary alternative route corridors to provide information and answer questions.
- Virtual Open House Meeting Recording (March 18, 2025)
- Open House Meeting Slides: Part 1 | Part 2
Please note that comments are welcome at any time during the project; however, comments have been most helpful to the routing process when received following the public open house meetings. PacifiCorp will host a second set of open house meetings in mid-2026 for the public to review and comment on the refined alternative routes before beginning the permitting process.
Public comment summaries and responses
Comments submitted by the public were summarized and available to review using the link below.
Review Public Comment Summaries and Responses
Based on public comments and further engineering and environmental evaluation, PacifiCorp will host a second set of open house meetings in mid-2026 for the public to review and comment on the refined alternative routes before beginning the permitting process. The project team continues to review potential sites for the substations at each end of the transmission line, adjust and refine alternative routes and address technical planning issues.
Submit public comments
Permitting
Once the routing study is completed, PacifiCorp will obtain necessary permits. Major permits and approvals include the following:
- A Site Certificate from the Oregon Energy Facilities Siting Council
- An Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act for right-of-way across federal lands
- A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Oregon Public Utility Commission
In addition, there are several other federal, state and local permits and approvals required for construction that are not under the jurisdiction of the siting council, the National Environmental Policy Act or the utility commission.
Preliminary project schedule
Note: This schedule is subject to change
- Project Planning and Permitting: 2023 – 2028
- Project Construction: 2029 – 2032
More information
(503) 892-6727
info@blueprintsouth.com