Location: McNary, OR along the Columbia River
The McNary to Wanapa transmission line project will serve loads ranging from Umatilla to Hermiston while continuing to provide safe, reliable service. This project will complete a necessary expansion of electrical capacity to accommodate growth from the Port of Umatilla and along the northern boundary of UEC's service territory.
In planning for growth, the build-out of this 230 kV transmission connection between the Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) McNary substation and Umatilla Electric Cooperative's (UEC) Wanapa substation will support industrial areas around the region. This will also provide additional renewable and traditional power sources to both areas thus improving connectivity and resiliency within UEC’s transmission power grid.
Anticipated Construction Schedule
- Project Planning and Permitting: Active now - Quarter 3 2024
- Project Construction: December 2024 - Quarter 4 2025
What Will McNary to Wanapa 230kV Transmission Line Look Like?
As part of UEC's long-range planning, we are proposing to construct, operate, and maintain a new 5.6-mile long, steel, single pole, 230 KV transmission line from the Bonneville Power Administration’s McNary Substation to UEC’s Wanapa Substation in the Port of Umatilla. This part of the line will provide the needed connection and system reliability to support industry demand in the area.
The width of the right-of-way needed for the transmission line will be 100 feet. Depending on the design requirements, the height of the transmission line structures would be 100 to 120 feet and the span between structures will be approximately 500 feet. The other end of this line will connect to substations in Hermiston, providing power support for the region. Photos show examples of the proposed structures in place and to scale.
The Process For Routing A New Transmission Line
UEC has conducted a routing study. This process examines and evaluates alternative routes to identify a viable route for the transmission line that poses the least impact on the community, land uses, and the environment while also meeting engineering and safety standards.
Benefits & Value Carefully Considered
We are committed to our communities and citizens who reside in them. UEC is working hard to identify system improvements to keep the community informed as the project progresses. If you have questions or would like to schedule a briefing for your neighborhood or organization, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jodie Thomas at (541) 561-8247.
We grow with our communities in mind. Careful consideration is taken to increase the benefits our members, partners, and the community experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section of the line will be 5.6 miles long and feature steel single poles. The other end of this project will connect to Hermiston, supporting the regional grid.
Depending on the design requirements, the height of the transmission line structures would be 100 to 120 feet and the span between structures will be approximately 500 feet.
The build-out of this 230 kV transmission connection between the Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) McNary substation and UEC’s Wanapa substation will support industrial areas around the region. This will also provide additional renewable and traditional power sources to both areas thus improving connectivity and resiliency within UEC’s transmission power grid.
Electric and magnetic fields, commonly known as EMF, exist wherever electricity is produced or used, including around any electric appliance or wire that conducts electricity. Whenever you turn on a lamp, use a microwave, or use your computer, these frequencies are around.
The electric power we use in America is a 60 Hertz (Hz) alternating current, meaning the electric charges move back and forth 60 times per second, creating an “extremely low frequency” field. These are different from the much higher frequency fields associated with radio and TV waves and cell phone signals.
The issue has been studied for more than 40 years by governments and scientific organizations around the world. The balance of scientific evidence indicates exposure to electric and magnetic fields cannot conclusively be linked to the cause of disease. Organizations include the World Health Organization the United States National Cancer Institute and others.
Results of more than 40 years of studies by government and scientific organizations around the world indicate exposure to electric and magnetic fields does not cause disease. Organizations include the World Health Organization the United States National Cancer Institute, and others.