Transwest Express Llc
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TRANSWEST EXPRESS LLC The TransWest Express Transmission Project is a high-voltage interregional electric transmission system developed by TransWest Express LLC. The TWE Project is critical new infrastructure that will deliver electricity generated by renewable resources and will strengthen the power grid that serves the Western United States. The transmission line begins in south-central Wyoming, has a midpoint terminal in Utah, and ends in southern Nevada near Hoover Dam. Delivering renewable energy across the west The TWE Project will provide the Further, multiple third-party studies show time from 1,500 MW to 3,000 MW of transmission infrastructure and capacity the significant economic benefits of transmission capacity. The AC system will be necessary to reliably and cost-effectively tapping Wyoming’s high-capacity wind built at 1,500 MW of capacity. The typical deliver approximately 20,000 GWh/year energy to meet a portion of California’s right-of-way width for the line is 250 feet. of clean and sustainable electric energy renewable energy demand. For example, Transmission structure heights may be up generated in Wyoming to Arizona, Utah, a 2014 National Renewable Energy Lab to 180 feet depending on structure type, Nevada and southern California. Wyoming economic analysis shows that by sourcing terrain, span and line crossings. has a large concentration of high-quality some Wyoming wind, “annual generator renewable resources in the form of wind cost savings (for California) range from Typical structures around $500 million to around $1 billion.” energy. The TWE Project will transmit this In total, the calculated benefits of a direct electric power to the Desert Southwest current line from California to Wyoming region where the demand for renewable outweigh the costs by more than two energy is the greatest. Guyed V-String times – well above the threshold that 40'-50' Structure The TWE Project will: utilities typically require before making transmission investments. 120'-180' • Broaden consumers’ access to domestic, clean, renewable energy sources. Western Area Power Administration, • Contribute to meeting national, part of the U.S. Department of Energy, regional and state environmental is participating in the project. In October policies, including state-mandated 2011, the federal “Rapid Response Team renewable portfolio standards and for Transmission” selected the TWE 110’-150’110'-150' greenhouse gas reduction targets. Project for its program to “accelerate responsible and informed deployment” • Meet increasing customer demand with improved electrical system reliability. of key transmission facilities. • Provide system flexibility and increased Project design 40’-50’40'-50' 40’-50’40'-50' access to the grid for third-party The TWE Project has 730 miles of 100'-150' 120'-180' transmission users. 100’-150’ high-voltage transmission infrastructure • Expand regional economic development consisting of two systems: a 500kV direct through creating hundreds of jobs and current (DC) system with terminals near enlarging the property tax base. Sinclair, Wyo., and Delta, Utah; and a 500kV • Maintain the standard of living alternating current (AC) system from the associated with highly reliable Utah terminal to Boulder City, Nev. The Self-Supporting Tubular Pole electricity service. DC system terminals will be phased over V-String Structure V-String Structure Years of thoughtful planning About TransWest Express LLC TransWest Express LLC conducted a BLM and WAPA sought agency and public TransWest Express LLC is a wholly owned corridor feasibility study to identify the input on potential issues to be addressed affiliate of The Anschutz Corporation, a proposed transmission line route and in the EIS. Based on this input, BLM privately held company based in Denver, alternative routes, many of which were and WAPA analyzed the proposed route Colorado. The Anschutz Corporation, located within or adjacent to federally for the transmission line and reasonable through its affiliates, has been actively designated utility corridors, or parallel alternatives to that route. Public scoping involved in the west for over 75 years in the existing transmission lines or pipelines. was held January-April 2011. The Draft fields of ranching, agriculture and energy EIS was announced in July 2013. After development. The Anschutz Corporation’s In 2008, TransWest applied for federal addressing comments, the agencies issued activity and investments in the energy field rights-of-way because the proposed route their Final EIS in April 2015, identifying reflect a strong commitment to responsibly crossed federal land mainly administered their preferred alternative route. The BLM developing and managing natural resources. by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Record of Decision was issued in December and the U.S. Forest Service. The project was 2016, with the WAPA Record of Decision considered a major federal action requiring issued in January 2017. the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement to meet the requirements All of the federal and state permitting of the National Environmental Policy decisions for the TWE Project were complete Act. The BLM and Western Area Power by mid-2019, along with the majority of Administration were joint lead agencies the local permitting decisions. that prepared the EIS and coordinated with Once all authorizations are secured, the USFS and other federal, state and local project is estimated to be constructed government cooperating agencies. over a three-year period. WY Rock Rawlins Springs Salt Lake Cheyenne City Vernal Craig Denver Carson City Price Sacramento Delta Grand NV UT Junction Cedar City CO Las CA Vegas Los Angeles AZ Phoenix San Diego The dashed line indicates the approximate route of the TWE Project, and the solid dots show the three planned terminals. 08/2019 TRANSWEST EXPRESS LLC www.transwestexpress.net.