Project overview  

Providing safe, reliable electrical service at reasonable rates now and in the future is Rocky Mountain Power’s commitment to its customers. As part of this commitment, a new transmission project is proposed that will improve electric service now and in the future.

Energy use is on the rise and electrical demand is fast approaching the limits of the existing system. New facilities are needed to meet the growing needs. This growth in demand for electrical energy comes from both new and existing customers. Individually, consumers today are using 26 percent more electricity than they did 20 years ago.

To increase the capacity to serve and to improve reliability to customers, Rocky Mountain Power has partnered with Idaho Power to build approximately 1,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines across southern Idaho and Wyoming. Known as Energy Gateway West, the project also will include nine expanded or new substations and will enable the companies to access and deliver energy from new and existing generating resources, including renewable energy resources such as wind.

The proposed route for Segment E is from a planned transmission hub near Rock Springs, Wyo., across Idaho to a point southwest of Boise.

Check this Web site periodically for updated information, including the recent Gateway West map  and  Gateway West fact sheet. 

Public meetings

Public input is a very important part of this process, and is welcomed at all stages of this planned transmission line development.

Open house meetings were held in early June as part of the environmental review process for this planned project. The Bureau of Land Management has oversight of this process under the National Environmental Policy Act, and hosted these meetings to collect official public comments on the project and the draft environmental impact study. Rocky Mountain Power and Idaho Power representatives also were available to answer questions.


Project timeline  

• BLM environmental review process – now to Summer 2010
• Rocky Mountain Power and Idaho Power public open houses – Fall 2008
• Permitting and engineering – 2008 - 2012
• Right of way acquisition – 2009 - 2012
• Construction – 2011 – 2014
• Bring line in service – 2011-2014

Additional information about the project  

Because BLM is responsible for the environmental review process, it is currently the agency that is also handling public comments at this early stage. To submit official public comment on the Energy 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

E-mail:

Gateway_West_WYMail@blm.gov

Web site:

www.wy.blm.gov/nepa/cfodocs/gateway_west

Please note that comments must be provided to the BLM by July 3, 2008 to be considered as part of the public record for the environmental review.

Additional information about the Energy Gateway West transmission project will be posted on this Web site as the project progresses and details are developed. Please check back throughout the timeframe of the project.

Comments submitted to Rocky Mountain Power are not considered part of the official record for the BLM environmental review. However, your ongoing interest and input is encouraged at all stages of development of this planned transmission line. For more information, please call us at (801) 220-4221, or e-mail ConstructionProjects@pacificorp.com. Please be sure to include the project name – Energy Gateway West -- in your request.

(updated June 30, 2008)