August 11, 2023 |
Photo – Map of transmission line route – Courtesy Trans West website
Construction will begin soon on the TransWest Express Transmission line project.
TransWest Express is a company specializing in energy development and transmission in the western United States. For over a decade, TransWest has been working to build on a 732-mile-long high voltage transmission line from the Chokecherry wind energy site near Rawlins to Nevada. With the required federal permits in hand, work can finally begin.
During the August 1st Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, TransWest Vice President of Land and Environment Kelly Cummins provided the board with an update on the project. Cummins began her presentation with an overview of the TransWest Express project. The VP for Land and Environment said after a lengthy process, construction on the transmission line was nearly ready to start.
Cummins said construction will be done in two phases. The first stage will be a 1,500-megawatt power line from Wyoming to Utah, and then into Nevada. Phase two will involve upgrading the equipment on the Wyoming to Utah portion of the project, increasing the line’s capacity to 3,000 total megawatts.
Cummins said the project has advanced significantly in the five years since it was last shown to the board. The Land and Environment Vice President said TransWest Express has completed the federally required studies and permitting needed to start building the transmission lines.
Cummins said the Bureau of Land Management issued a notice to proceed on April 10th. Cummins said the notice was the final hurdle needed to begin construction on federally managed land.
The TransWest VP of Land and Environment said the project was now far enough along to select contractors for the project. Cummins said three different contractors will be working in Carbon County.
Cummins said having the contractors on board has allowed the creation of a construction schedule. Cummins said work should begin next month, with the project expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
Cummins said the construction start means over $3 million in impact assistance funding will begin to make its way into Carbon County.
Representatives from the contractors and subcontractors met with the board to discuss their roles in the project. Commission Chairwoman Sue Jones thanked everyone for the information. Chairwoman Jones said past projects haven’t always lived up to the promises made when they’re pitched to the board. The commission chairwoman said revenue generated from the project will help Carbon County.
Cummins told the commissioners that the contractors are expected to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of Carbon County. Cummins said to contact her, or TransWest Express Communications Director Kara Choquette with any comments or concerns. Cummins asked the board to have local business owners search the TransWest Express website for job opportunities related to the project.
Communications Director Choquette invited the commissioners on a tour of the TransWest Express site. Choquette said she’ll continue to update the commissioners and other local governments as progress is made.
TransWest Vice President of Land and Environment Cummins thanked the board of commissioners for their patience and understanding during the 12 years it took to get the TransWest Express Transmission Line project underway.
