Idaho Power, PacifiCorp, BPA agree to clarify 500-kV transmission line stakes

PacifiCorp, Bonneville Power Administration and Idacorp Inc. subsidiary Idaho Power Co. reached a nonbinding agreement clarifying and updating their roles and responsibilities for the planned 500-kV, 290-mile Boardman to Hemingway transmission line.

Under the original proposal, the line would be built and jointly owned by PacifiCorp, BPA and Idaho Power with stakes of 54.55%, 24.24% and 21.21%, respectively. Under the new agreement, BPA will transfer its ownership interest to Idaho Power and will not participate in construction or have any ownership interest in the transmission line project. Idaho Power and PacifiCorp will jointly own the transmission line with stakes of 45% and 55%, respectively.

Idaho Power will also acquire an ownership interest in PacifiCorp transmission lines and other equipment between eastern Idaho and the Four Corners Substation in northwest New Mexico. Facilities that are currently being used by PacifiCorp to serve BPA's customers in and around southwestern Idaho will also be transferred to Idaho Power.

For its part, BPA will acquire transmission service over Idaho Power's transmission system, including the Boardman to Hemingway line, or B2H, to serve public utility customers in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.

In addition, PacifiCorp will get transmission assets across southern Idaho from Idaho Power to increase power transfer capability between its eastern and western divisions.

The B2H line is expected to deliver 1,000 MW of power in each direction between the Pacific Northwest and Mountain west. The project is expected to come online in 2026.