BEALE-WAPA INTERCONNECTION PROJECT (BWIP) (DOE/EA-2152)

ABOUT THE PROJECT

WAPA has received an interconnection request from the Beale Air Force ​Base (AFB) to connect to WAPA’s existing Cottonwood-Roseville 230-kilovolt (kV) line located in Yuba County, California. The purpose of the proposed project is to ensure that the Beale AFB electrical infrastructure will supply and effectively support the missions assigned to the installation by Congress and the President. Beale AFB needs a reliable and resilient electrical transmission system that is upgraded to satisfy current electrical standards. This need includes a redundant electrical interconnection to supply critical missions and prevent electrical failure during maintenance and/or electrical faults.

As part of the proposed project, a 5-mile, 230-kV/60-kV interconnection would be built between WAPA’s Cottonwood-Roseville transmission line and an existing substation on Beale AFB. The proposed project would also require a new substation to be located on Beale AFB to accommodate both the 230-kV and 60-kV lines. Currently, three alternative routes are being considered for the interconnection line.

  • Southern Alternative (included in January 2018 scoping)
  • Northern A Alternative (included in January 2018 scoping)
  • Northern B Alternative (added to the project in June 2018; included in July 2018 scoping)​

WAPA prepared an Environment Assessment (EA) for the project in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). WAPA and Beale AFB are joint lead agencies for the purposes of NEPA and have issued separate Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

CURRENT STATUS

WAPA approved the Final EA and FONSI on November 30, 2020.  Beale AFB signed the separate FONSI and Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA) on January 12, 2021.  Based on the information contained in the EA, WAPA’s federal action would not result in significant environmental impacts. WAPA has determined that its proposed federal action is not a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of NEPA and that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required.  Beale AFB also concluded that the Proposed Actions would not have a significant impact on the natural or human environment and that an EIS is not required.

The Draft EA was first made available to interested agencies, tribes, groups, and individuals from January 2, 2020 through February 3, 2020, and March 18, 2020 to April 17, 2020.  WAPA and Beale AFB revised the Draft EA in response to all public comments and released the Revised Draft EA for public review on August 20, 2020. The last public comment period ended on September 21, 2020.

The Final EA and FONSIs are included in the PROJECT DOCUMENTS section below.

CONTACT INFORMATION AND HOW TO COMMENT

Additional information and copies of the EA and this FONSI are available to all interested parties and the public from the following contact:

Email: dalldorf@wapa.gov

Mail:  Kristen Dalldorf, Environmental Manager

Western Area Power Administration
114 Parkshore Drive
Folsom, California 95630

PROJECT DOCUMENTS:

Final Environmental Assessment

Draft Environmental Assessment

Scoping​

 

Last modified on February 16th, 2024