The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the construction of the TransWest Express Transmission Project (TWE Project), a major power line project that will carry renewable energy across the West.
The TWE Project is a 732-mile high-voltage system that will connect wind farms in Wyoming to electricity markets in Nevada, Arizona and California. The project will add 3,000 MW of transmission capacity to the Western power grid, enough to power more than 1.8 million homes. The BLM issued a notice to proceed for the TWE Project on April 11, 2023, after completing all the necessary environmental reviews and consultations. The notice authorizes the project developer, TransWest Express LLC, to begin construction activities on federal lands.
The TWE Project is a key component of the Biden-Harris administration’s plan to modernize America’s infrastructure and achieve a carbon-free electricity sector by 2035. The project will enable the delivery of low-cost, clean energy to millions of consumers in the Southwest, while supporting the development of Wyoming’s renewable energy potential. The project is also expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and operation, generate millions of dollars in tax revenues for local communities, and enhance grid reliability and resilience by connecting three planning regions and diversifying energy sources. It has received broad support from tribal governments, conservation groups, labor unions and elected officials. The project has also obtained approvals from federal, state and local agencies, as well as rights-of-way grants from the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Defense.
The TWE Project is scheduled to begin construction in late 2023 and be completed by 2026. The project will be one of the largest transmission additions in the Western power grid in decades.
Source: transwestexpress.net