Power line plans cut through Cottonwood

ONE ROUTE, 3 choices:
A power line would pass near Cottonwood.

Routes for overhead power transmission lines for a potential statewide renewable energy project could pass east of Anderson and just north or east of Cottonwood, according to a proposal from Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC) and Western Area Power Administration (WAPA).

The $1.5 billion TANC Transmission Project would transmit renewable energy from sources in Lassen County to areas just south of Sacramento, according to TANC consultant Janet Thomson.

By 2020, one third of the state's energy must come from renewable sources, according to an executive order signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in November 2008.

"The greatest amount of renewable energy in northern California is in northern Lassen County," Thomson said, adding that the area boasts solar, wind and geothermal sources. "This was the obvious place to go."

The proposed path for the 500-kV transmission lines to pass near Cottonwood are still up for discussion. The path would include an easement 200 feet wide for the line's entire length. Three alternative paths through the Cottonwood area have been mapped by TANC, each of which would pass through one of two existing substations before heading south. One substation is located east of Cottonwood at Treefoil Lane and Orchard Avenue. The other is west of town at the Olinda station, near Gas Point Road and Joanne Lane.

"If the (project) is ultimately constructed, TANC would seek to acquire an easement from landowners along the preferred route," Thomson said. "In the Cottonwood area, these landowners would include both private and public entities. Easement specifications and requirements are negotiated with landowners on a case by case basis, and in most cases, current land uses are not significantly impacted. Permanent structures, such as houses, barns, garages, or other outbuildings are not permitted within a transmission (right of way)."

TANC and WAPA are soliciting comments regarding the project from agencies and individuals to be addressed by an impending Environmental Impact Report. Scoping comments must be postmarked no later than April 30.

"The intent is to get as much input as possible about land the community knows best about," Thomson said.

The initail EIR is expected to be finished in spring of 2010. Following a public comment period that summer, the final EIR is expected in 2011. Also in 2011, necessary land acquisition and construction is scheduled. The system could be functional by 2014.

For more information on the TANC Transmission Project, see www.tanc.us. An interactive map of proposed routes is also online at www.aspengooglemaps.com/TTP/Final/ttpadd1.php.

To comment on the proposed project, contact David Young by April 30, 2009:

Mr. David Young, NEPA Document Manager, Western Area Power Administration, Sierra Nevada Region, 114 Parkshore Dr., Folsom, CA 95630 or contact Young via telephone at (916)353-4777 or online at TTPEIS@wapa.gov