Comment Deadline For Gateway West Transmission Line Coming Up

The comment period on the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Gateway West Transmission Line in Wyoming and Idaho continues through Friday, June 28, 2013. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) encourages interested individuals to review and comment.

The Gateway West Transmission Line Project, proposed by Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power, would construct nearly 990 miles of high voltage transmission lines across southern Wyoming and southern Idaho adding 3,000 megawatts (MW) of transmission capacity. The transmission lines would originate at the proposed Windstar substation near Glenrock, Wyo. and terminate at the Hemingway substation near Melba, Idaho, approximately 20 miles southwest of Boise.

The FEIS responds to comments received on the draft EIS and agency-preferred alternative by making clarifications and changing some segment routes. The FEIS also explains that the BLM is considering a phased decision for this project, which would allow for approval of certain segments of the project while providing an opportunity for various Federal, State and local permitting agencies to collaborate on final siting for one or more other segments.