The Bonneville Power Administration is inviting public comments on its draft environmental impact statement for a proposed new high-voltage transmission line and substation. If built, the Big Eddy-Knight Transmission Project would add more than 1,150MW of capacity to BPA’s transmission system, which would accommodate increasing amounts of renewable energy from wind, while updating the Northwest power grid.

The project is one of four major new transmission lines that BPA has proposed funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is expected to provide up to 100 construction jobs.

“Infrastructure such as this is vital to regional and national efforts to deliver renewable energy and enhance our energy independence,” said Larry Bekkedahl, vice president of engineering and technical services for BPA Transmission Services. “The jobs associated with the project would also be a welcome boost to local and regional economies.”

BPA will accept public comments on the draft EIS until Jan. 28, 2011, and will hold two open-house style public meetings to answer questions.

The draft EIS addresses concerns in almost 400 comments BPA received from landowners and other stakeholders. BPA has surveyed potential impacts and collected comments since announcing its intent to move forward with the environmental review in June 2009. The draft environmental impact statement assesses the impacts of three alternative transmission line routes about 28 miles long, two substation site options and two fiber-optic cable options. It includes simulated views of the proposed line and steel towers from different viewpoints. The EIS examines impacts of the alternatives on views, land use and recreation, plants and animals, the economy, transportation and cultural resources. The draft EIS also outlines mitigation measures that would minimize the project’s potential impacts.

“We are committed to a full exploration of potential impacts and mitigation measures to protect the local environment if we construct the line,” said Lorri Bodi, acting vice president for BPA’s Environment, Fish and Wildlife division. “We thank all the people who have taken the time to comment on the project and encourage their continued participation.”

The draft EIS is available at: www.bpa.gov/go/BEK