Segment A - Walla Walla to McNary

Project Overview

In order to continue to provide reliable, safe and cost-effective electricity to customers, and support new renewable energy development, Pacific Power is working toward completion of private right of way negotiations and then will begin construction of a new transmission line between its Wallula substation in Washington and McNary substation near Umatilla, Oregon. The transmission line was originally planned to also connect Wallula with an existing substation in Walla Walla. That section, however, is not scheduled to proceed at this time. The 30-mile, 230-kilovolt line between Wallula and McNary will be constructed on a 125-foot-wide right of way. Pacific Power will work to minimize impacts to the community and local environment during project development, construction and maintenance.

Project Timeline

• Public outreach – 2008-project completion
• Permitting and obtaining rights of way – 2008- 2012
• Begin construction – 2012-2013
• Estimated line in service for customers – 2012-2013

Additional Information About the Project

Since 2008, our company has worked with landowners, community members, agencies, tribes and local governments, and conducted engineering, environmental and cultural studies to select a preferred route for the line. This route was submitted to permitting agencies in late 2008, with county conditional use permits issued in early 2009 and a State of Oregon Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued in late 2011. The company continues to work with federal agencies to complete those permitting activities and obtain federal rights of way.

In 2009 we decided to move forward with only the 30-mile Wallula to McNary portion of this line based on requests for transmission service. We elected to delay development of the Wallula to Walla Walla portion of the line based on an evaluation of evolving regional transmission and resource plans and the cost-effectiveness of our transmission investments. More information on this project is available on the fact sheet (PDF).

We are currently completing work with property owners on the Wallula to McNary section to finalize rights of way, and plan to start construction in 2012-2013. We expect to have the line in service in the 2012-2013 timeframe. Additional information about this project will be posted on this website as the project progresses. Please check back periodically for updates.