IDAHO JOINS COORDINATED POWER
TRANSMISSION PLANNING EFFORT

BOISE – The governors of Idaho, Montana and Nevada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the purpose of siting and permitting two interstate transmission lines, known as the NorthernLights Transmission projects, within their states.

With the signing of the MOU Governor Risch has authorized the state to work collectively with Montana and Nevada in a coordinated siting and permitting process for the projects.  The MOU creates a State Advisory Committee that will develop, facilitate and coordinate a consolidated process.

The State Advisory Committee will oversee the work of the Project Team, which will handle the day-to-day work on the siting and permitting of the projects.  The projects must comply with all existing environmental laws and permitting requirements.

“The NorthernLights projects are very important to Idaho by providing access to developing energy supplies and for providing transmission access as we develop our renewable energy sources,” said Risch.  “This coordinated effort allows us to more effectively work through the regulatory process at the highest levels in all three states.”

The project entails constructing two high voltage transmission lines and converter stations in each state.  One project will originate in eastern Montana, traverse Idaho and end in southern Nevada.  The second project originates in northeastern Wyoming, traverses Idaho and ends in southern Nevada.  The transmission line creates an energy corridor that allows for gas and petroleum pipelines to be built in the same pathway.

The Western Interstate Energy Board, an affiliate of the Western Governor’s Association, will initially constitute the Advisory Committee and Project Team.  Fees collected by each state for the siting and permitting process will fund the work of the committee and team.

Governor Risch has not yet named anyone to the State Advisory Committee.

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Memorandum of Understanding

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