Proposed Cascade Crossing Transmission Project Public Meetings Begin June 21

Organization

BLM

BLM Office:

Oregon/Washington State Office

Media Contact:

Diana Enright, Oregon Department of Energy
Rick Acosta, U.S. Forest Service
Michael Campbell, Bureau of Land Management

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) and several federal agencies (led by the U.S. Forest Service), continue to seek public input on the Cascade Crossing Transmission Project, proposed by Portland General Electric (PGE). “We look forward to the opportunity to meet with the public and answer questions. The upcoming public meetings are an important early step in the respective federal and state review processes,” said Kristy Boscheinen, Forest Planner with the Mt. Hood National Forest.PGE proposes to build a new 500 kilovolt transmission line from Boardman to Salem, a distance of approximately 210 miles, as well as upgrade the existing transmission systems near Salem and possibly in the Willamette Valley. PGE has applied to the federal government for right of way grants and special use permits to cross federally-managed lands and has also submitted a Notice of Intent to apply for an Energy Facility Site Certificate from the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council.The ODOE and federal agencies will jointly host public information and scoping meetings throughout the project area. All meeting locations will be open from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and staff from the state and federal agencies as well as PGE will be available to answer questions. A short presentation about the state and federal application review processes will be given at 4:30 and again at 6:00 pm. Meetings will be held:

  • Monday, June 21 – Maupin (South Wasco County High School, 699 Fourth St.)
  • Wednesday, June 23 – Oregon City (Oregon City High School, 19761 S. Beavercreek Rd.)
  • Thursday, June 24 – Salem (McKay High School, 2440 Lancaster Dr. NE)
  • Tuesday, June 29 – Mill City (Mill City Middle School, 450 SW Evergreen St.)
  • Thursday, July 1 – Boardman (Port of Morrow Riverfront Center, 2 Marine Dr.)

Comments during this phase of the project must be received by August 2, 2010 and can be made to both the ODOE and federal agencies in a variety of ways, including:

  • via e-mail to comments @ cascadecrossingproject.com;
  • through the shared project website at cascadecrossingproject.com/comment;
  • U.S. mail addressed to Cascade Crossing Transmission Project, 1515 SW Fifth Ave., Ste. 1022, Portland, OR 97201-5449; and
  • via a toll-free fax line at 888-291-6460.

Comments do not need to be sent to each agency—the state and federal agencies will share all comments sent to the central project sites listed above.For more information, including route maps of the proposed Cascade Crossing Transmission Project, or to review copies of the state and federal Notices of Intent, please visit cascadecrossingproject.com, e-mail info @ cascadecrossingproject.com, or call 800-5907265 (toll-free) to request more information.


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.