Vantage to Pomona FEIS Index 34 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 2 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Proposed Action and Alternatives PAGE 2-34 construction, the appropriate interim noxious weed control measures discussed in the Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Management Plan will be implemented until revegetation can occur. 2.2.4.5 Emergency Response The operation of the transmission system is remotely managed and monitored from control rooms at PacifiCorp’s operation center in Portland, Oregon. Electrical outages or variations from normal operating protocols would be sensed and reported at this operation center. As well, the substations are equipped with remote monitoring, proximity alarms, and, in some cases, video surveillance. The implementation of routine operation and maintenance activities on transmission lines would minimize the need for most emergency repairs. Emergency maintenance activities are often those activities necessary to make repairs after natural hazards, fire, or man-caused damages to a transmission line. Such work is required to eliminate safety hazards, prevent imminent damage to the transmission line, or to restore service in the event of an outage. In the event of an emergency Pacific Power would respond as quickly as possible to restore power. The necessary equipment for emergency repairs is similar to that necessary to conduct routine maintenance. However, on occasion, additional equipment may be required. For example, where the site of the outage is remote, helicopters may be used to respond quickly to emergencies. In practice, as soon as an incident is detected, the control room dispatchers would notify the responsible operations staff in the area(s) affected and crews and equipment would be organized and dispatched to respond to the incident. Pacific Power would notify the appropriate agency contacts or private landowner regarding the emergency and required access to carry out the emergency repairs. Although restoration of the transmission line would have priority, every effort would be made to protect crops, plants, wildlife, and resources of importance. 2.2.5 Underground Transmission Line Design Details on the design, construction and maintenance, as well as disturbance assumptions for the two route segments of the NNR Alternative analyzed for underground transmission line construction are discussed in this section. The NNR Alternative - Underground Design Option was analyzed for two route segments in this FEIS and is not a feature common to all Action Alternatives. 2.2.5.1 Underground Construction Components and Construction Technologies and Techniques Underground construction techniques considered in this FEIS are based on industry standards and methods used on other transmission line projects. Due to the lack of similar projects in this region, this FEIS considers industry methodology developed in highly urbanized areas. This methodology may differ substantially from the methodologies that may be used for this proposed Project. However, geography, land uses, and physiographical conditions were different in many cases (e.g., highly urbanized areas) from those that are found in the Vantage-Pomona Heights Project area. Pacific Power has not in the past and does not currently construct, operate, or maintain any 230 kV underground transmission lines in their service area (Oregon, Washington, and California) and none have been constructed by other utilities in a similar setting (rural, undeveloped sage-brush dominated land) in this region. The description of the construction components, technologies, methods, and disturbance assumptions are based on other projects implemented by utilities that have installed 230 kV underground facilities elsewhere in the United States. Locations for undergrounding considered in this FEIS occur along two route segments: NNR-4u and NNR-6u (see Figure 2-3). Section 2.4.1 describes the location and Design Options considered in the analysis for each of the route segments. A permanent 30-foot ROW corridor would be required for the duct bank and adjacent access road.