Transmission Lines Challenge

In the September 11, 2008, Las Vegas Review-Journal there was an article by John G. Edwards about the ambiguity regarding who will actually build a 234-mile electrical transmission line between Ely and Southern Nevada.

A New Jersey company named LS Power says it has plans to build the transmission line. So does Sierra Pacific Resources, as well as the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

All three entities appear eager to stay connected to the transmission line project, and be advocates of their involvement. Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons supports the project. And, not surprisingly, so does Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who wants to steer Federal funds toward transmission line construction.

Without having details of how the construction responsibilities will be shared, and without really knowing what decisions and compromises will have to be made, it does not take a lot of imagination to realize there will be complicated and lengthy negotiations surrounding this 234-mile transmission line project.

Knowing this, the reality of constructing 7,500 miles of new transmission lines in Nevada and the West - as suggested by Senator Reid - will be an epic challenge.

Reid has stated, "The Western Governors Association and the states of Nevada, Texas, Oregon, Colorado and California are beginning to consider how to connect renewable resources to transmission."

Reid has said that "nationwide investment in transmission declined over two decades, but he has introduced legislation - S. 2076 - to present Federal financing options for building more transmission lines.

He says if private companies do not commit to investment, Federal agencies will have $10 billion to pay for power lines.

He emphasizes, "These lines would carry mostly clean renewable energy, particularly if they cross Federal land. We need new sources of energy that don't add more global warming pollution."

Reid states the 7,500 miles of new transmission lines should be finished in a decade.

This is quite a goal considering the business and and government complexities that are bound to come into play.

It is even more imposing when the probability of environmental group protests is added to the mix, as well as the likelihood of many environmental impact studies being required. After all, 7,500 miles of transmission lines will pass through wilderness and habitats of wildlife.

The future of renewable energy growth and all that it entails will lead the country and the West through (literally and figuratively) wild territory.

Renewable development cannot be successful without thousands of miles of new transmission lines constructed over the next 10 years.