EnviroIssues understands that while these are exciting times for energy development in the United States, the regulatory and environmental planning processes for siting new facilities are complicated and more often than not difficult to navigate as a stakeholder. We work with federal agencies, utilities, and local governments to develop and implement strategic and inclusive public processes for new facilities. We use online tools to manage information in ways never imagined and provide decision makers and the public with the most current and thorough information available through project web sites and traditional media.
Planning for Transmission Lines Across Two States

Two major utilities are planning to build a high voltage transmission line project across southern Wyoming and Idaho. This project will supply present and future needs of customers and improve electric system reliability in the service territories of both companies. In addition, the project will enable delivery of new generating resources, including wind, to more customers in the region. EnviroIssues is engaging communities throughout the environmental review process to meet and exceed public involvement requirements outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act.

 
Designing the Regional Energy System for the Future

Energy efficiency is a critical topic when discussing the future of energy policy in our region. EnviroIssues recently assisted the Bonneville Power Administration in the design and implementation of a collaborative process to gather key stakeholder feedback and better inform the direction of the agency in establishing a new post-2011 energy efficiency policy. EnviroIssues helped plan and facilitate a series of stakeholder meetings throughout the Pacific Northwest that were designed to gather key stakeholder feedback and better inform the direction of the agency in establishing new policy.

 
Engaging the Public in the Transmission Line Siting Process

Creating and implementing a cohesive public involvement strategy to coordinate federal and state regulatory agencies as well as the project proponent involves expertise in relationship building and thorough coordination. EnviroIssues is assisting in the design and implementation of a comprehensive public involvement effort for a proposed transmission line and substations in northeast Oregon and southwest Idaho. Our work includes an interactive web site, a comprehensive database of all public comments and communication, and face-to-face interactions with property owners along the corridor.

 
Non-Wires Solutions Provide Northwest Energy

Creating a roundtable of industry experts, utility professionals, and private and public interest groups to discuss opportunities for the use of non-wire transmission required many hours of facilitation and a keen understanding of the technical requirements. EnviroIssues facilitated the roundtable to help develop criteria, issue papers, and pilot studies to identify non-wire transmission opportunities in the Northwest. The roundtable has gained national attention and continues to be supported by a broad range of interests including BPA senior management, engineers, regional power planning representatives, environmentalists, tribal representatives, local utilities, and industrial interests.