The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Ten West Link project located near the Interstate 10 corridor in Western Riverside County, California.
Identified as a priority under Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the 500kv transmission line project would modernise infrastructure and strengthen the energy grid in California and Arizona.
The project is expected to increase transmission capacity by 3.2GW and provide interconnection capability for new energy projects located near the proposed project.
BLM has also released proposed amendments to the BLM Yuma Field Office Resource Management Plan and California Desert Conservation Area Plan.
BLM deputy director for plans and programs William Perry Pendley said: “Modernizing America’s aging infrastructure and facilitating responsible energy development on public lands are BLM priorities.
“This transmission line would increase capacity for the electric grid in the Desert Southwest, improving energy efficiency and reliability in a region that is home to some of the most populous counties in the nation.”
Final EIS analyses several alternatives
Developed in accordance with Secretarial Order 3355, the Final EIS analyses several alternatives, with the BLM’s preferred alternative being a 125-milelong route mostly located within existing utility corridors or parallel to existing infrastructure.
The route is responsive to stakeholder input by avoiding popular recreation areas, tribal lands, and the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. It also reduces impacts on local communities and the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground and provides interconnections for future energy development projects.
BLM Arizona state director Raymond Suazo said: “Ensuring the reliability of our electric grid is crucial and our preferred route accomplishes that while avoiding impacts to communities, outdoor recreation, and sensitive wildlife habitat.
“We listened closely to stakeholder input and believe this alternative strikes the right balance.”
