Eastern Plains Transmission Project

What's new

On Sept. 2. 2008, Western canceled the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement on a proposal by Western to participate with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Incorporated, in the construction of the Eastern Plains Transmission Project. Western is canceling the preparation of the EIS due to anticipated changes in the EPTP scope. If Western decides to participate in the re-defined EPTP, a National Environmental Policy Act review will be initiated at that time. Tri-State may continue with development of the EPTP.

Project description

The Eastern Plains Transmission Project is a proposed new transmission project that would include about 1,000 miles of new high-voltage transmission lines and related facilities in eastern Colorado and western Kansas, expansions at existing substations and construction of new substations, access roads and fiber optic communication facilities. As currently planned, the EPTP would be one of the largest transmission additions in the United States in the past five years. more.

Project progress

• Final system studies completed—February 2006.
• Preliminary right-of-way and environmental work begins—First quarter of 2006.
• Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement published in Federal Register—August 2, 2006
• Notice announcing second series of public meetings and extension of comment period published in Federal Register—January 19, 2007
• Notice announcing public meeting June 20, 2007, in Rush, Colo., and extension of comment period published in Federal Register—June 4, 2007 
• Planned release of Draft Environmental Impact Statement—TBD
• Planned release of Final Environmental Impact Statement—TBD
• Planned Record of Decision—TBD
• Right of way acquisition would begin following the Record of Decision
• Construction of transmission lines would begin—TBD
• Project completed in phases—TBD

Project updates and documents

Background materials

Comparative routing analysis

Federal Register notices and EIS deterimination

Maps

Newsletters

News releases

Public meeting documents and materials—June 2007 through September 2007

Public meeting documents and materials—February 2007

Scoping meeting documents and materials—August and September 2006

Scoping summary report

Other links

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

If you have question, comments, concerns or would like more information, send an e-mail to us at eptp@wapa.gov, or call toll-free, 1-888-826-4710.