Blueprint South transmission line project
PacifiCorp proposes to permit, construct, operate and maintain a 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line, two 230 kV transmission lines, a new 500 kV substation and two series compensation stations in south-central Oregon. The study area involves a portion of four counties – Crook, Deschutes, Lake and Klamath counties. The new lines will run from Klamath Falls to the Bend area.
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 preferred and 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 2026.
Typical 500 kV 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
Typical 230 kV structure type
- Voltage: 230 kV
- Length: Approximately 25 miles
- Structure types: Wood poles with wood/metal crossarm
- Structure height: 80-105 feet
- Span between structures: 400-800 feet
- Right-of-way width: 300 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
Based on the comments from the public and stakeholders, the alternative route corridors were re-evaluated, adjusted and new project components were added. We are now hosting a second round of open house meetings in key locations in the Project study area to provide an update on the status of the Project and review the preliminary preferred and alternative routes. Based on comments we receive from the public in this second round of open houses, the preferred and alternative routes will be further refined and carried forward into state and federal permitting processes. Before we begin the permitting process late this year, PacifiCorp will announce the preferred and alternative routes to be carried forward into the permitting process.
Please join us at our public open house meetings.
The following in-person open houses will be hosted from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday, August 31, 2026
Christmas Valley Park and Recreation Community Hall
87345 Holly Lane
Christmas Valley, OR 97641
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Klamath County Event Center, Exhibit Hall #2
3531 So. 6th Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Central Oregon Community College, Wille Hall
3600 NW College Way
Bend, OR 97703
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Brasada Ranch
16986 SW Brasada Ranch Rd
Powell Butte, OR 97753
For those unable to attend an open house meeting in person, a virtual option will be hosted Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. through Zoom:
Zoom Meeting Link
Passcode: 725613
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.
2025 Open House Meetings
Public comment summaries and responses
Comments submitted by the public during the first round of open houses in 2025 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 (see details above) 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 – 2029
- Project Construction: 2030 – 2033
More information
(503) 892-6727
info@blueprintsouth.com