PacifiCorp began construction of a key new high-voltage transmission line to serve customers throughout six western states. Utah Governor Gary Herbert joined power company officials in today's ground breaking for the 160-mi Sigurd to Red Butte transmission line just as the company also announced completion of its 100-mi Mona to Oquirrh transmission line that will begin serving customers May 17. Both projects are located in Utah.
"The company is moving forward with these significant transmission projects because they make sense for our customers," said Natalie Hocken, PacifiCorp senior vice president of transmission and system operations. "We thoroughly review the need for these large, important investments, adjusting and sometimes deferring projects while making sure our transmission system has the flexibility needed to provide reliable, cost-effective service for our customers."
Investment in new transmission lines is essential in the West for the reliability and security of the electric system and to improve access to both conventional and renewable generation resources, Hocken added.
The first segment of the company's Energy Gateway transmission expansion project, a 135-mi segment from Idaho to Utah, has been serving customers since 2010. Other segments continue in varied stages of siting and permitting and will be completed in a phased-in approach to respond to customers' needs.
"Energy Gateway transmission investments will enable the company to continue providing quality electric service to meet our customers' electricity needs and enhance the economies of the areas we serve," said Richard Walje, Rocky Mountain Power president and CEO. Rocky Mountain Power, part of PacifiCorp, serves customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.
Walje said the company has adjusted plans according to the developing needs of customers to ensure that new facilities are put in place at the right time to provide safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric service.
"Many people have contributed extraordinary efforts in the process that led to today's groundbreaking of the Sigurd to Red Butte project," Walje said. "We are grateful to Governor Herbert for his efforts, as well as the many other federal, state and local officials and agencies involved in the siting and permitting process. We also appreciate the participation and suggestions offered by private landowners and the public - all have had a hand in getting the project to this point."
The 345-kV Sigurd to Red Butte transmission line will stretch from the Sigurd substation near Richfield to the expanded Red Butte substation in Washington County. It is expected to begin serving customers in summer 2015.
The recently completed Mona to Oquirrh transmission line includes a new single circuit 500/345-kV line from the Clover substation in Juab County to the site of the future Limber substation in Tooele County. From there the line continues as a double-circuit 345-kV line to the existing Oquirrh substation in West Jordan. Construction on that line began in 2011.
For more information about the Energy Gateway projects, visit www.pacificorp.com/transmission.
