SMUD and WAPA begin environmental review of California transmission project

SACRAMENTO - - The Sacramento Municipal Utility District, or SMUD, and Western Area Power Administration, or WAPA, have begun reviewing the environmental effects to construct and operate a 500kV transmission line in Colusa and Sutter counties in California.

The proposed Colusa-Sutter Transmission Line, or CoSu Line, would enhance the reliability of the electrical grid in Northern California by providing a new connection to the existing California-Oregon Transmission Project line in Colusa County, California. The proposed line would link to a new substation near the existing O'Banion Substation in neighboring Sutter County. The project would increase SMUD's ability to deliver clean power to the Sacramento area from the Pacific Northwest and other energy markets.

A notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement was published in today's Federal Register initiating a 60-day public scoping period under the National Environmental Policy Act. SMUD will serve as the lead agency preparing the concurrent environmental impact review under the California Environmental Quality Act.