Schedule and timeline
TransWest Express LLC conducted a corridor feasibility study to identify the proposed transmission line route and alternative routes, many of which are located within or adjacent to federally designated or proposed utility corridors, or parallel existing transmission lines or pipelines.
TransWest has applied for rights-of-way over federal lands because the proposed route and the alternative routes for the transmission line cross hundreds of miles of federal land that is mainly administered by the BLM. The proposed project is a major federal action requiring the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The BLM and Western Area Power Administration are acting as joint lead agencies responsible for preparing the EIS, and are coordinating with other federal, state and local government agencies. (To learn more about the NEPA process, check out A Citizen's Guide to the NEPA (PDF).)
The EIS analyzes actions that may affect the quality of the environment. The BLM and Western seek agency (federal, state and local) and public input on potential issues to be addressed in the EIS. Based on this input, the BLM and Western analyze the proposed route for the transmission line and reasonable alternatives to that route. After issuing a Draft EIS for review and addressing comments on that draft, the agencies will issue a Final EIS. A Record of Decision is expected from each agency in early 2014. Construction of the project will require two to three years.
TransWest EIS/Development Timeline Summary
| November 2007 | National Grid filed a Preliminary Right-of-Way application and a Plan of Development with the Bureau of Land Management, which will prepare an EIS for the TWE Project. |
| July 2008 | TransWest acquired the TWE Project. |
| December 2008 | TransWest filed amended Preliminary ROW application with BLM. |
| January 2009 | TransWest filed amended Preliminary Plan of Development with BLM. |
| January 2010 | TransWest filed Preliminary ROW application, amending 2008 ROW. |
| July 2010 | TransWest filed Preliminary Plan of Development, amending 2009 POD. |
| Summer 2010 | Western Area Power Administration joins BLM as joint lead agency for the preparation of the EIS. |
| Q1 2011 | BLM/Western publish Notice of Intent and hold 23 public scoping meetings. |
| 2012 | Draft EIS estimated to be released. |
| 2013 | Final EIS estimated to be released. |
| Early 2014 | Record of Decision estimated to be published. |
| 2014-2016 | Transmission line is constructed in phases. |