BPA extends comment period on transmission line

People hoping to weigh in on a proposed transmission line through Southwest Washington will have an extra 24 days to do so, the Bonneville Power Administration announced Wednesday.

The BPA extended the formal comment period after several requests for more time, according to the agency. That included a letter sent from U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler on behalf of citizen advocate Cheryl Brantley, who leads the group A Better Way for BPA. Others had asked to keep the project on schedule and make a decision quickly, according to BPA.

“This strikes a balance that should meet the needs of those requesting an extension, and those eager for us to reach our decision,” BPA project manager Mark Korsness said in a statement.

The BPA will now accept feedback until noon March 25. That brings the total comment period to 132 days, according to BPA.

The agency has proposed building a 500-kilovolt transmission line between Castle Rock and Troutdale, Ore. The BPA last November picked its preferred route for the $459 million project, but three other possibilities remain on the table.

Two open house meetings are scheduled for next week, including a Feb. 6 gathering at 5 p.m. in Clark College’s Gaiser Hall, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way in Vancouver.