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Meeting looks at proposed B2H route
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Idaho Power Co. will present its refined route proposal for the
Boardman-to-Hemingway transmission line to Union County residents in an
open house-style meeting Wednesday at the Blue Mountain Conference
Center.
The utility has applied through the Oregon Department of Energy and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to build a high-voltage power line from Boardman in Morrow County to Hemingway in southern Idaho. The “B2H’’ line would pass through Union County, and some residents here have expressed opposition to its construction. Idaho Power says the line will improve delivery of electricity to customers and enhance system reliability throughout the Northwest. Through a community advisory process, Idaho Power reviewed 50 possible routes and route segments and in April selected a route to submit to the BLM and the ODE’s Energy facility Siting Council. The proposed route map, which is subject to approval by those agencies, will be displayed at the open house. Idaho Power Spokeswoman Stephanie McCurdy said people should keep in mind that the route is not yet set in stone. “The proposed route is not final and there will be more opportunity to comment through the public review process,” she said. In addition to looking at the proposed route in detail, people will be able to learn more about the project, ask questions and get important information about the upcoming state and federal review processes, McCurdy said. In all, eight information stations will be set up. Idaho Power’s latest round of informational meetings starts Tuesday with an open house in Brogan in Malheur County. The La Grande event will take place 4 to 7 p.m. at the conference center. Other open houses are scheduled in Marsing, Idaho, July 15; Baker City, July 20; Pilot Rock, July 21; and Boardman, July 22. McCurdy said that during the open houses, Idaho Power will provide a project overview, answer questions about the siting process, explain next steps, give information on the community advisory process and talk about benefits of the power line. “People wonder what’s in it for them,” McCurdy said. “System reliability is one thing, and it’s a piece of the larger puzzle, the grid, that serves everybody.” McCurdy said Idaho Power wants to resolve as many conflicts as possible through the community advisory process, which takes into account input from communities all along the line. “We know we can’t make everybody happy, but I think people will see how hard everybody’s worked to make sure there’s the least amount of impact possible,” she said. She added, “We’re going to continue working with communities.” To learn more about the project, visit the website, www.boardmantohemingway.com.
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