FAQ - General Project
What is the Cascade Crossing Transmission Project?
PGE has proposed the Cascade Crossing Transmission Project (Cascade Crossing) in Oregon to connect new and existing electricity power sources east of the Cascades to the Willamette Valley in the west. It includes approximately 22 miles of single circuit and 187 miles of double circuit, 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line, three new substations and upgrades to existing substations. The transmission line would begin in Boardman and end in Salem. In addition, upgrades to existing systems in the Willamette Valley and near Salem may be needed. Learn more
about the project.
Why is PGE proposing to build Cascade Crossing?
PGE is proposing to build Cascade Crossing to:
- Maintain a reliable flow of electricity to Oregon homes, farms, businesses and organizations - the region’s transmission system is nearing capacity limits, which threatens the ability of all utilities to provide reliable, economical power to their customers.
- Facilitate the development of more renewable energy east of the Cascades - Cascade Crossing would provide transmission to wind projects that are planned but are not currently served by transmission.
- Help meet Oregon’s growing electricity needs - PGE predicts customers’ electricity needs will continue to increase.
- Meet Oregon’s renewable energy requirements – Cascade Crossing would provide power from renewable energy sources and help PGE meet Oregon’s renewable energy standards.
When would Cascade Crossing be built?
If permitting is successul and construction moves ahead, PGE expects to complete the project in 2016 or 2017.
How will PGE minimize impacts to homes, businesses and the environment?
In identifying proposed routes, PGE is attempting to use or parallel existing transmission or energy corridors wherever possible.
As part of the environmental review process, PGE is required to conduct cultural and biological studies to identify critical resources, such as endangered species habitat and sensitive archaeological sites. PGE will attempt to avoid these sensitive areas; where that is not possible, the company will provide for mitigation.
Can increased energy efficiency efforts avoid the need to build new transmission lines?
Energy efficiency is a key piece of PGE’s resource planning. In fact, in its
Integrated Resource Plan PGE plans for energy efficiency to meet half of its load growth over the next decade. Still, PGE predicts customers’ electricity needs will keep growing. Even with aggressive energy efficiency goals, PGE anticipates more transmission will be needed to ensure future reliability.
What improvements may be needed in the Willamette Valley?
In order to reliably distribute the additional electricity the project would deliver to the Willamette Valley, PGE may need to
upgrade portions of its existing transmission and distribution system in the valley. This may include upgrading its 230 kV line from Salem to Oregon City and installing new conductors on existing subtransmission lines in Salem.
Will the electricity remain in Oregon?
Yes. Cascade Crossing would provide transmission access for renewable power, including wind projects that are planned in locations that are not currently served by transmission.
Will the lines interfere with ongoing agricultural practices?
Over the long term, most agricultural activities can proceed with the transmission line in place. In developing initial routes, PGE generally tried to avoid agricultural operations where possible. If a line is routed through an agricultural area, PGE will work with farmers to locate the line in an area that reduces the impacts to agricultural practices.
Is it safe to operate pivot irrigation underneath the transmission lines?
Yes, it is safe to operate pivot irrigation underneath transmission lines, but safety precautions, particularly with regard to grounding, must be considered. While not common, electrical shock on pivots can occur if the natural ground fails, either through corrosion, dirt buildup or other causes.
What kind of access for maintenance will be required once the lines and substations are complete?
Inspectors will perform safety inspections via predetermined access routes by foot, four-wheel drive vehicle or helicopter. Inspectors will need to access these routes with specialized equipment for regular and emergency maintenance.
Why does this area need additional transmission capacity when so much emphasis is placed on energy conservation and efficiency measures?
Even after taking into account energy conservation and efficiency efforts, the overall demand for electricity is expected to increase about 45 percent in the region by 2030. This makes additional transmission capacity necessary to meet the future needs of our customers. This transmission line would also provide transmission services to wind projects that currently have no way to transmit the energy produced.
How will the potential health and safety risks associated with electromagnetic fields be evaluated?
Extensive research has been performed to determine if EMFs pose health risks with inconclusive results and ongoing research has not shown a clear cause-and-effect relationship between EMFs and disease. We encourage you to learn more about EMFs by reviewing the EMF information on the Further Reading page.
Will the transmission line affect the operation of communications devices such as radios, GPS and cell phones?
No, transmission lines do not typically cause interference with radios, GPS systems or cell phones. In the rare case where interference does occur due to aging lines or older equipment, maintenance personnel are trained to address the issue.
