The federal Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) said it plans to build a $185 million, 28-mile high-voltage transmission line to move more energy from east of the Cascade Mountains to load centers in western Oregon and Washington. The Big Eddy-Knight transmission power line would run from BPA’s Big Eddy Substation near The Dalles, OR, to a new substation four miles northwest of Goldendale, WA. Before construction can begin, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will conduct a consistency review of the project, which falls within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Following the USFS review, BPA will finalize contract terms and obtain all permits and approvals for a project it claims would create up to 100 new construction-related jobs. The project would be financed in part with borrowing authority included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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