EnviroIssues’ track record in the energy field includes work on crude oil pipelines, natural gas generating plants, clean diesel programs, transmission lines and substations, and renewable energy facilities. We know energy terminology and regulatory frameworks; we understand what concerns the public about energy facilities. Energy is on the move in the Northwest, and we are helping make that happen.
Planning for Transmission Lines Across Two States

Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power 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.

 
Power Line Delivers Electricity to Seattle

When a new transmission line across the Cedar River Watershed became publicly controversial, the Bonneville Power Administration asked EnviroIssues to engage concerned citizens in the environmental review. We facilitated ten public meetings held during the scoping and public review process for the environmental impact assessment, and managed a database of public comments to provide summaries to commenting members of the public.

 
Energy Facilities Application Review and Community Involvement

EnviroIssues supported Washington State’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council during application review for numerous proposed pipeline and power facilities. We helped review the proposed 225-mile Cross-Cascade Oil Pipeline, and a 150-mile crude oil pipeline from Port Angeles to Anacortes. EnviroIssues also assisted in peer review of applications for certification for the Satsop Combustion Turbine Project, the Chehalis Generation Facility, the Cowlitz Cogeneration Power Facility, and the Northwest Region Power Facility. These reviews required designing and implementing a public involvement plan to capture public input, which was addressed in the draft environmental impact statements required under the National and State Environmental Policy Acts.

 
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.