Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transwest Permit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission extends TransWest Express construction permit for Sweetwater County segment
Summary
The Sweetwater County Board approved Resolution 25‑09‑Z‑001 to extend the construction‑permit expiration for the TransWest Express transmission line through Dec. 31, 2030, after staff said the project will require substantially more than the county’s standard 18‑month permit window.
The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 16 approved an extension of a construction‑permit expiration for the TransWest Express high‑voltage transmission project, setting a new expiration date of Dec. 31, 2030.
PNZ planner Cassidy Brown told the commission that TransWest Express has an approved construction permit but the county’s standard 18‑month permit period is too short for the company’s work. "This project is quite long, around 732 miles of a high voltage transmission line," Brown said, adding that the applicant expects the local portion of construction will require "at least 48 months" and anticipates starting construction in Sweetwater County in 2026. Brown said the company is coordinating with federal agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Reclamation.
Nancy Smith, identified to the board as TransWest Express director of preconstruction compliance, said construction is already underway in other counties and that seasonal and wildlife restrictions create narrow construction windows in some locations. "In some cases, we only have 15 days to do construction due to wildlife restrictions," Smith said, describing constraints that make a longer permit period necessary.
The county’s land use staff told commissioners that P&Z recommended approval at its Sept. 10 meeting and that agency comments (from BRS Engineering and others) raised no prohibitive concerns. A commissioner asked whether the project is a "green energy" project; Brown said the filing was not specific on that point.
Commissioner Slaughter moved to approve Resolution 25‑09‑Z‑001; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The approval extends the permit expiration to Dec. 31, 2030, so TransWest Express will not need to reapply mid‑project for a new construction permit in Sweetwater County.
The board opened the item for public comment; none was offered. The county did not attach additional permit conditions in the hearing, and staff noted subsequent permitting steps and interagency approvals will still apply.
