BLM Approves Major Transmission Line for Wind Power
Major Wind Power Transmission Line Approved by BLM
Summary :
The Bureau of Land Management has approved the TransWest Express transmission line, which will connect the nation’s largest onshore wind project to southwestern states, with the capacity to power around 20 million homes. The line will move power from Wyoming to Arizona, Nevada, and California, but the 18-year wait for approval highlights the complicated permitting processes inherent in such large projects, which are further complicated by the number of jurisdictions they cross. California, with a goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045, is likely to benefit greatly from the new line.
Description :
The TransWest Express transmission line has been approved by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and will connect the largest onshore wind project in the country to southwestern states. The power line will transport 3 gigawatts of power to Arizona, Nevada, and California, which is enough to power approximately 20 million homes, according to Gabriela Aoun Angueira of Grist.
However, the 18-year wait for this project highlights how permitting processes can impede the country’s shift to clean energy. Large projects such as this are made complicated by a lack of deadlines in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and jurisdictional opposition and bureaucracy as transmission lines often travel across multiple states.
The TransWest Express line is expected to have a significant impact on California, which aims to achieve 100% clean energy by 2045. To achieve this, the state will need to retire sources of fossil fuel such as coal and natural gas and account for increased power demand from sources such as electric cars.
For more information on the project and its proposed timeline, please refer to the source article.
sources:
1- melk360.com ,Major Wind Power Transmission Line Approved by BLM ,2023-04-21 14:00:00
2- https://www.planetizen.com/news/2023/04/122744-major-wind-power-transmission-line-approved-blm?rand=493
