Courtesy SWCA

The Biden-Harris administration and Bureau of Land Management announced Thursday that milestones had been reached on multiple transmission projects, including the proposed Cross-Tie Transmission Project in Utah.

The Cross-Tie Transmission Project is a proposed 1,500 megawatt, 500 kilovolt high-voltage alternating current transmission project. These transmission lines would be built within federally designated utility corridors or parallel to existing transmission facilities and connect the Clover Substation, located near Mona in central Utah, with the Robinson Summit Substation in east-central Nevada. If approved, the Cross-Tie line has the potential to unlock up to 1,500 MW of renewable energy.

“This project proposes to transfer wind energy from Wyoming, along with wind and solar energy from Utah and Nevada, using BLM-managed public lands to deliver clean, renewable energy for Americans,” Greg Sheehan, BLM Utah State director, said in a press release. “We are committed to conducting a robust and inclusive public scoping period and encourage the public to get involved in the process. By harnessing input provided by the public, partners, Tribes, and interested groups, we can consider all potential impacts to the land and resources we manage.”

The BLM is releasing draft environmental impact statements and initiating two more major transmission line environmental reviews for the Cross-Tie projects in Nevada and Utah. A notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement on this project will be posted to the Federal Register on Monday, initiating the 30-day public scoping period.

During the scoping period, the BLM will seek public input on the proposed Cross-Tie Transmission Project. The public is invited to attend virtual meetings regarding the project on May 17 from 2-3:30 p.m. and May 18 from 6-7:30 p.m. To register for either of these meetings, visit https://go.usa.gov/xzvQm. Additionally, in-person office hours will be offered during the scoping period. Written comments on the project will be accepted by the BLM via letter or email until May 31.

Courtesy SWCA

Other advancing transmission projects include the SunZia Transmission Project in New Mexico and Arizona and the Greenlink West Project in Nevada. It is estimated that, if approved, these transmission projects have the potential to create 10,000 MWs of energy and carry that renewable energy across the West.

“The Department of the Interior continues to make significant progress in President Biden’s efforts to spur a clean energy revolution, strengthen and decarbonize the nation’s economy, and help communities transition to a clean energy future,” Secretary Deb Haaland said in a press release. “Transmission projects like those advanced today offer a promising path for diversifying our national energy portfolio and connecting more renewable energy, while at the same time combatting climate change and investing in communities.”

Newsletter