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FSEC holds informational meeting for Cascade Renewable Transmission project; applicant outlines underwater 1,100 MW cable
Summary
At an FSEC informational meeting, PowerBridge described a roughly 100‑mile transmission link (about 80 miles underwater) intended to move up to ~1,100 MW; the presentation outlined construction methods, required permits and timelines and invited public comment and scoping input.
The Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (FSEC) held an informational meeting on Dec. 16 to introduce the Cascade Renewable Transmission Project, during which the applicant described a mostly underwater high‑voltage link intended to move renewable energy across the Columbia River corridor.
Chris Hocker, a PowerBridge representative, said the project would be roughly 100 miles long — about 80 miles placed underwater and roughly 20 miles on land — and that the bundled cable system could carry about 1,100 megawatts. "We think it's important to understand" the regional transmission constraint east of the Cascades, Hocker said, arguing the line would help move clean energy toward load centers without building new overhead lines through the Columbia Gorge.
Hocker described two installation techniques: horizontal directional drilling to bring the cable in and out of the river at shorelines, and a hydroplow (jet plow) to bury the cable on the riverbed. He said the hydroplow creates a temporary trench about 2 feet wide, and that agencies would require a minimum burial depth in some reaches — "a minimum of 10 feet, and maybe 15 feet, below the sediment" — while HDD landings may reach deeper depths.
The applicant listed the primary approvals it expects to need: FSEC review in Washington, a comparable review in Oregon, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits for work in U.S. waters. Hocker also said the project will require interconnection agreements with Bonneville Power Administration and Portland General Electric. He estimated the in‑river installation would occur over roughly two winter seasons within agency work windows and that onshore and converter‑station work would extend the overall construction period to around 3½ years.
FSEC staff and PowerBridge repeatedly urged public participation: FSEC Executive Director Sonya Bumpus highlighted a project‑specific mailing list and monthly council briefings; the applicant directed attendees to cascadeRenewable.com for materials and questions.
The meeting proceeded to a public comment period; speakers both supported and opposed the project, and many asked that FSEC ensure full environmental review and tribal consultation as the review proceeds. The informational portion concluded and the council opened a separate land‑use consistency hearing later in the evening.
