Learning Center

Q. Why is Chelan County PUD building a new transmission line?
A.  To meet expected growth in demand for electricity over the next 20 years and to make service even more reliable.  “We have two connections into our internal transmission system that serves our customers, which are approaching capacity,” said Chad Rissman, PUD chief transmission/distribution engineer. “This new line will provide a third.” 

Q. How much power will the line provide?
A. About 250 megawatts, or enough to serve about 125,000 Northwest homes.

Q. What’s the voltage of the new line?
A. 230 kilovolts.

Q. What’s the route?
A.  The line runs 8.5 miles from the switchyard at Rocky Reach Dam, on the Columbia River north of Wenatchee, to the Andrew York/Monitor Switchyard on Easy Street, northwest of Wenatchee. 

Q. How was the route chosen?
A. Five alternatives were identified. Two of the five were studied over five years. The route over Burch Mountain was determined the best, based on cost and impact.

Q. When was the last time the PUD built a transmission line?
A.  About 10 years ago the PUD built a 115-kilovolt line from Rocky Reach to Chelan Falls. It’s been nearly 50 years since a bigger, 230-kilovolt line was built from Rocky Reach Dam to the Alcoa aluminum smelter south of Wenatchee. 

Q. What will it cost?
A. Total cost for the 230-kilovolt line is about $10 million. That includes:

• Transmission line construction .
• Materials – including power line and poles.
• One new transformer at Andrew York Switchyard and a bus extension at Rocky Reach Switchyard.
• Studies, permits and design.

Q. What’s the construction schedule?
A.  Construction of the transmission line started on April 10, 2006. To limit impacts on wildlife, construction was finished by the end of September 2006. Installation of the transformer and related equipment at Andrew York Switchyard is set for 2007. The Rocky Reach Switchyard expansion is scheduled for 2008.  PUD crews will connect the new line to the transformers and, after testing, the transmission line will be energized in late 2008. 

Q. Who did the work?
A. Wilson Construction of Canby, Ore., was the general contractor on the line. Subcontractors included Jim Ellett Excavation, The Dalles, Ore., and DMI Drilling from Sumner. Over the six months of construction about 45 contractor and PUD employees worked on the project.

Q. What does the transmission line look like?
A. Forty-four steel structures support the three-phase line over the 8.5 miles. Weathered (rust-colored) steel was chosen so the poles blend into the terrain and are visible. The height above ground will vary from 51 feet to 147.5 feet, depending on location. Some are two sections and some are three sections. Click here to see what they will look like

Q. How long are the spans of line between the poles?
A. The spans range from 153 feet to 2,665 feet.

Q. How thick is the line and what is it made of?
A. The line, or conductor, is two sizes: 1.345-inch and 1.381-inch, steel-reinforced aluminum. The larger conductor will be used for the Columbia River crossing from the Rocky Reach Switchyard to the hill above the Chelan County side of the dam.

 Q. What is the PUD doing to protect wildlife?
A. Construction was limited to between April and September 2006 to reduce the impact on habitat and wintering mule deer on Burch Mountain.

• The PUD paid the state Department of Fish and Wildlife $32,000 for an easement across its land. The PUD will pay an additional $30,000 a year to mitigate for wildlife and habitat impact until the new Rocky Reach Dam license is issued, at which time annual payments may decrease depending on the level of funding provided in the Wildlife Management plan under the new license. These dollars will help the state with wildlife management.
• To address concerns for raptors (birds of prey) that migrate past Burch Mountain, the PUD conducted a raptor migration study in fall 2005.  The study examined the number of raptors passing through the area and the altitude of their flight. The study found 95 percent of the raptors flew above the height of the transmission line. The small number of raptors that did pass at or below transmission line height were seen in mostly one area.  As a result, the PUD required bird-flight diverters on the shield wire in that part of the line to reduce the risk of collision. This study was conducted in coordination with the state,  other resource agencies and groups. The final report was approved by state Fish and Wildlife officials in March 2006.
• The PUD will also revegetate areas disturbed during construction to provide similar habitat for wildlife, to reduce erosion, and to limit the spread of noxious weeds.

Q. Who can I contact if I have a question?
A.  For more information about the project contact Chad Rissman, PUD  chief transmission and distribution engineer, 661-4480, or chad.rissman@chelanpud.org, or George Velazquez, project manager, 661-4547, george.velazquez@chelanpud.org .