(Washington,
D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate
Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, sent a letter to Bonneville Power
Administration (BPA) Administrator Steve Wright urging him to carefully examine
route locations for the new electric transmission lines in the proposed I-5
Corridor Reinforcement Project to make sure they impact the least number of
families in Southwest Washington. Murray stressed the need to take the
concerns of local residents into account, and urged Wright to continue engaging
with the local communities before making any decisions about the location of
new transmission lines.
“As
you continue to narrow the viable routes, I strongly urge you to work toward
identifying a path forward that impacts the least number of people in Southwest
Washington as possible,” Senator Murray said in the letter. “Our state
has long enjoyed the benefits of low-cost, reliable electricity from BPA, and I
am determined to keep those benefits in place…. I look forward to hearing from
you on the steps you will take to determine appropriate routes throughout this
process and how you will work to ensure the least impact on the quality of life
of individuals and families in Southwest Washington.”
Senator
Murray was instrumental in including funding
for BPA in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help
improve access to low-cost power for families in Southwest Washington. However,
Senator Murray will continue working to ensure that any new transmission lines
have as little impact as possible on those who live in residential areas.
The
full text of the letter follows:
Dear
Administrator Wright:
I
write regarding the Bonneville Power Administration’s proposed I-5 Corridor
Reinforcement Project, which involves the construction of a new electric
transmission line from the Castle Rock area in Cowlitz County, Washington to
Troutdale, Oregon.
Southwest
Washington has grown considerably in the last decade, which has resulted in
increased demand for electricity and related infrastructure. I understand
the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) believes this project is essential to
help keep the lights on for the residents of Southwest Washington while at the
same time provide much-needed additional capacity for future economic growth.
At
the same time, I share the concerns, particularly around route locations, that
many of my constituents have raised regarding this project. I know BPA
has made an effort to engage local communities through a public comment process
around the Environmental Impact Statement as part of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA). I appreciate that you have already responded to my
earlier request and extended that comment period to ensure that more residents
could participate. I encourage you to continue to take the concerns of
affected residents seriously as you move forward with this process.
As
you continue to narrow the viable routes, I strongly urge you to work toward
identifying a path forward that impacts the least number of people in Southwest
Washington as possible. Our state has long enjoyed the benefits of
low-cost, reliable electricity from BPA, and I am determined to keep those
benefits in place. I appreciate the role you and BPA have played as
a partner in efforts to keep power rates law in Southwest Washington.
I
look forward to hearing from you on the steps you will take to determine
appropriate routes throughout this process and how you will work to ensure the
least impact on the quality of life of individuals and families in Southwest
Washington.
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