FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2021
CONTACT: Eric Barendsen, mediarelations@wapa.gov, 303-704-0765
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Western Area Power Administration has released a draft environmental impact statement (PDF), or EIS, for the interconnection of the proposed Rail Tie Wind Project.
WAPA is accepting public comments until May 17, 2021, verbally during virtual public hearings and in writing. Written comments are encouraged as time for speaking at the hearings is limited. All comments will be fully considered in the final EIS and will be preserved in the administrative record.
Submit written comments
Online (preferred): Questions and comments form
Email (preferred): RailTieWind@wapa.gov
Postal Mail: Mark Wieringa, Western Area Power Administration, Headquarters Office A9402, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213. Note: Building access is limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so written comments mailed to the WAPA Headquarters Office may be delayed in reaching the project team. Written comments submitted electronically via the online form or email are preferred.
Virtual Public Hearing Schedule
Wednesday, April 28, 1 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time
Thursday, April 29, 5 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time
For security purposes and to gauge public interest, registration is required to attend each virtual public hearing. For more information on how to register and participate, visit the project website. For those without internet access, please call (970) 329-2998 for registration information.
Additional Information
WAPA is evaluating an interconnection request submitted by ConnectGen Albany County, LLC, to connect the Rail Tie Wind Project to WAPA’s existing Ault-Craig 345-kilovolt line in Albany County, Wyoming.
Because this project involves an action by the federal government, WAPA has prepared a draft EIS for the interconnection request and proposed wind project in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The draft EIS analyzes the expected environmental impacts of both WAPA’s federal action and ConnectGen’s proposed Rail Tie Wind Project.
The 45-day public comment period began April 2, when the Environmental Protection Agency published the draft EIS notice of availability in the Federal Register, and ends May 17.
During the public comment period, the public, interested parties and other agencies are invited to provide comments and ask questions about the draft EIS. All comments will be fully considered in the final EIS and will be preserved in the administrative record.
The proposed Rail Tie Wind Project, which would be owned by ConnectGen, would include up to 149 wind turbines with a generating capacity of up to 504 megawatts. The wind project would be located on an approximately 26,000-acre site roughly centered on the town of Tie Siding and bisected by U.S. Highway 287.
In addition to the turbines, the proposed project would include access roads, collection lines, substations, control buildings, meteorological towers and other related infrastructure. If WAPA decides to approve the interconnection request after the environmental process is complete, WAPA would construct, own, operate and maintain a connection with the existing transmission line and a switchyard to control power flow onto the existing line. More information is available on WAPA’s project website and the ConnectGen website [connectgenllc.com] .
Learn more about the NEPA process at the Department of Energy website.
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About WAPA: Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 25,000 gigawatt-hours of clean, renewable power from 57 federal hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and International Boundary and Water Commission in 15 western and central states. It is part of the Department of Energy. Follow us on Twitter @WesternAreaPowr, or visit the website at www.wapa.gov.
Last modified on December 6th, 2024