The decision to move forward follows BPA’s completion of the final environmental assessment for the Grand Coulee 500kV transmission line replacement project and release of its Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), which operates Grand Coulee Dam, also has released a FONSI on the project.
BPA assisted USBR with the design of the project, and will also fund and construct it.
“As we approach the 75th anniversary of the Federal Columbia River Power System, it is important that we make investments like this so we can continue to provide safe, reliable and low cost power to the Northwest for another 75 years,” said Mark Korsness, BPA project manager.
The six new 500kV overhead transmission lines will replace six existing underground lines. The underground lines consist of aging, oil-filled cables between Grand Coulee’s third power plant and the 500kV spreading yard. The new overhead lines will transfer power across the Columbia River and over the visitor center area, and then proceed uphill to connect to existing lines that transfer power from this area into the regional power grid.
The project will include the construction of new towers and access roads in the area.
