English (United States)
A final line route for the Scottsbluff Power Project’s new 115 kV transmission line was announced on May 10, 2023. Directly impacted landowners were sent a letter with a map of the final route, and all original property owners were mailed a newsletter. The project is now in phase 4, in which NPPD representatives work with property owners along the route on the project’s next steps.
Since the final line route was announced, right-of-way (ROW) agents Shelby Mayash and Todd Muehlich, representing NPPD, met one-on-one with landowners to discuss important and unique project information. This included discussions about right-of-entry agreements, which authorized NPPD and their subcontractors to enter the property and conduct environmental assessments, survey activities, cultural and historical resource assessments, and engineering and structural spotting assessments. These are necessary to engineer the line and to write easement documents.
The ROW agents will now begin negotiating easements. The agents will present landowners with the easement package, explain the terms and conditions, and present the compensation offer. NPPD utilized an independent land appraiser to determine the appraised value of each tract along the line route.
The need for this project is due to Scottsbluff’s existing transmission line facing heavy congestion. The new line will increase the transmission system capacity to meet electrical demand, reduce congestion, and further enhance the reliability and resiliency of the Scottsbluff and western Nebraska areas.
Routes for a transmission project are typically developed over the course of several phases and are then narrowed down to a final route.
In the first phase, preliminary routes or route segments were determined, and the first open house meeting was held for landowners and interested parties to provide input, including property information, and learn more about the project.
The second phase involved the determination of a preferred route along with alternative routes. A second open house meeting was held for landowners and interested parties to provide input, including property information, and learn more about the project.
In the third public involvement phase, NPPD determined a proposed route and presented it at a public hearing, followed by a 30-day comment period.
A final line route will be announced no earlier than thirty days after the public hearing, at which time, right-of-way activities and final design work will begin.
Questions? Email scottsbluffpower@nppd.com or call 1-888-677-3412.
