Learning Center Entiat Valley Transmission

The Entiat Valley 115kV program includes building a new 6-mile transmission line northwest of Entiat, a switchyard near Earthquake Point and a substation just north of Crum Canyon. The project is designed to improve electrical service capacity, and in turn, add reliability for the valley.

The current system is near capacity, particularly during the winter months. The valley is served by a single 34.5 kV transmission line that was built in 1940.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process was completed for the program in late 2008 and the District began acquiring the permits required immediately after the Decision of Non-Significance was issued. The PUD has received three out of the four permits needed from government agencies and is negotiating a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) permit.

The current schedule is to acquire the final permit and complete final design of the line in 2010, purchase materials in 2011, and construct the line in 2012.

Substation site improvements began in the summer of 2009. Further detailed design is scheduled for this year with material procurement in late 2010 and 2011. Construction of the electrical portion of the substation is scheduled for 2012 along with energization. Switchyard site grading, fencing, and foundation design and construction are scheduled for 2011.

This schedule is subject to budget approval and acquisition of final USFS permit.