Pacific Power updates Deschutes County on 500 kV ‘Blueprint South’ transmission study

John Anello, project manager for Pacific Power, and Derek Bell, project manager for Power Engineers, updated the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on the company’s 500 kilovolt transmission study known in planning as “Blueprint South.” The update, given during the Feb. 20 meeting, outlined preliminary route alternatives, environmental and engineering constraints, and a schedule for public outreach.

The project, Anello said, is intended "to reinforce the general backbone of our infrastructure system" and to provide operational flexibility and additional capacity for transferring renewable generation across the region. He told commissioners the line would not directly deliver power to communities such as Lakeview but could make future local connections less costly by bringing high‑voltage infrastructure closer.

The presenters said they have identified several corridor options between the Redmond/Bend area and Klamath Falls/Chiloquin. Bell described the technical tradeoffs in routing, saying the team looks first for “opportunities” to colocate with existing infrastructure — roads, rail and other transmission lines — and then evaluates “constraints” including residences, agricultural operations, airports, wetlands, cultural resources and threatened species. He noted constructability factors such as steep slopes, river crossings and flood plains.

Project visuals shown to the board depicted large lattice towers typical of 500 kV lines and an approximate right‑of‑way width. Anello said the transmission structures shown were “representational” and that exact tower design would depend on later engineering.

On corridor options, presenters said some alternatives follow an existing federal West‑Wide Energy Corridor that already contains multiple 500 kV lines; others are “greenfield” routes that would require new right‑of‑way. Bell said the project would be a new line with a new easement, not a simple replacement of existing lower‑voltage lines.

The team described public engagement running in parallel with technical studies. Anello said the project has formed community working groups in the Bend/Redmond and Klamath Falls areas and has met with them multiple times. He listed planned public open houses in the coming weeks for in‑person review and a virtual session for those who cannot attend, and said the project intends to provide maps, staff and a GIS station so residents can view route alternatives relative to private property.

On schedule, presenters described an "ideal" timeline but cautioned permitting remains the uncertain step. Anello said construction is planned to start near 2029 with a multiyear build sequence; specific substation sites — including a planned terminal substation in the study’s northern “full circle” target area and a substation near Chiloquin — had not been finalized.

Commissioners and attendees asked about wildfire and co‑location risks, right‑of‑way widths and whether the line could be added to existing towers. Bell and Anello said co‑location can reduce new landscape disturbance but can also concentrate vulnerability, such as losing redundancy in a single fire event. They said centerlines of adjacent rights‑of‑way are typically separated by roughly 250 feet where possible. On whether the line could be attached to existing towers, presenters said the project would require a new dedicated right‑of‑way.

Anello and Power Engineers stressed the technical and environmental evaluation factors that will inform final routing and urged landowners and residents to attend the public open houses to review alternatives and submit property‑specific information.

Ending: Pacific Power staff left county commissioners with contact information for follow‑up questions and reiterated the invitation to upcoming open houses and a virtual session. The company said it will continue community working group meetings and technical routing while advancing environmental and permitting work.