ELECTRIC POWERLINES 

CHAPTER 9
9.0 Electric Powerlines 

The vertical line in the margin identifies text that has been modified in this Final EIS and

differs from the corresponding text in the Draft EIS 

Electrical service requirements for the proposed project include utilizing existing service lines and constructing 

electrical powerlines to pump stations, meter stations, remote valves, and pigging facilities. Because local 

electrical power providers, not Overland Pass, would be constructing and operating the electrical powerlines, 

the local electrical power companies would be responsible for obtaining any necessary approvals or 

authorizations from federal, state, and local governments. While the permitting process for the electrical 

facilities is an independent process from the pipeline ROW approval process, the construction and operation of 

these powerlines are considered connected actions under NEPA and, therefore, are evaluated within this EIS 

for the Proposed Action. 

9.1 Electrical Powerline Requirements 

Powerline requirements would vary depending on the project facility (i.e., pump stations, meter stations, 

remote valves, and pigging facilities) (Table 9.1-1). New electrical transmission powerlines would be 

constructed at 17 locations throughout most of the pipeline route from RP 0 to RP 749.4. New powerline 

connections would provide power for two pump stations, Echo Springs (RP 146.5) and Laramie (RP 271.7) 

each with a voltage of 34.5 kV. The length of these connections would be no greater than 0.25 and 2.9 miles, 

respectively. Voltages for powerlines to the Unnamed (RP 448), WaKeeney, Bushton, and Conway meter 

stations would range from 12.5 kV to 13.2 kV. Lengths for these connections would range from greater than 

0.25 to 2.4 miles (Table 9.1-1). If the WaKeeney Pump Stations was constructed in the future, it is likely that 

the electrical power would be supplied from the service delivered to the WaKeeney Meter Station; thus, the 

impacts for the future station are included in the analysis. Other electric power requirements for remote valves 

and pigging facilities would be supplied from distribution service drops from adjacent distribution powerlines 

(i.e., powerline with voltage ranging between 12.5 kV to 15 kV). Each of these distribution service drops would 

require the installation of approximately one or two poles and a transformer. The length of these distribution 

service drops typically would be less than 200 feet. Utilities would restore the work area as required on 

completion of the new service drop in accordance with local standards. 

Table 9.1-1 details the land requirements for the new electrical powerlines associated with the pump stations 

for the Proposed Action. Preliminary routing has been identified for each powerline. These routes are subject 

to change as the pumping station supply requirements are further reviewed by the local utilities providing 

electrical service. Powerlines would be located entirely on private land. 

9.2 Electrical Powerline Construction 

The construction phases for each electrical powerline would consist of ROW acquisition, ROW clearing, 

construction, and site restoration and cleanup. The following is a brief summary of the typical steps associated 

with powerline construction. Actual powerline construction procedures would be developed by each utility to 

address site-specific conditions. 

• ROW Easements. The electric utilities would obtain any necessary easements and ROW grants. It is 

estimated that the construction ROW width would be 50 feet, with a 25-foot permanent ROW width. 

• ROW Clearing. Limited clearing would be required along existing roads in native and disturbed 

grasslands and croplands. Some trees may require removal to provide adequate clearance between 

the conductors and underlying vegetation. Trimming to avoid tree removal may be employed in some 

locations. 

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Table 9-1 Electrical Powerline Requirements for the Proposed Action 

Facility 

Reference 

Point (RP) Power Required Utility Company 

Length of 

Connection 

Direction of 

Connec

Remote Valve #1 0.0 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Power to be provided by Williams at the Opal Plant 

<0.25 mile Power to be ru

underground 

Remote Valve #8 72.1 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Pacific Power and Light (Rocky Mountain Power) 

100 feet Too close to be 

determined 

Remote Valve #17 (Echo Springs Pump Station) 

146.5 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service (5 MVA for entire station) 

Power to be provided by Williams at the Echo Springs Plant 

<0.25 mile Power to be ru

underground 

Remote Valve #23 207.0 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Carbon Power and Light 2.9 miles From the south

Remote Valve #30 (Laramie Pump Station) 

271.7 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service (5 MVA for entire station) 

Laramie Pump Station, power to be provided by Carbon Power and Light as part of the entire station 

2.4 miles From the north 

Remote Valve #34 307.4 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

High West Energy 0.2 mile From the north 

Remote Valve #35 323.0 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Poudre Valley REA Powerline crosses 

valve site 

Too close to be determined 

Remote Valve #37 342.7 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

High West Energy <1 mile 

(within 1/2) 

From the east 

Remote Valve #42 389.8 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Xcel Energy 1 to 1.5 miles From the west 

Remote Valve #47/Meter Station 

447.8 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

YW Electric 1 to 1.5 miles From the west 

Remote Valve #52 507.9 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Prairieland Electric 1 to 1.5 miles From the south

Remote Valve #56/Scraper Trap 

552.9 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Midwest Energy <0.5 mile 

(within 1/4) 

Too close to be determined 

Remote Valve #61/Meter Station 

606.0 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Western COOP 0.5 mile From the east 

Remote Valve #66/Scraper Trap 

654.7 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Western COOP <0.5 mile 

(within 1/4) 

Too close to be determined 

Remote Valve #72/Meter Station 

718.0 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Power to be provided by ONEOK at the Bushton Plant 

<0.25 mile Power to be ru

underground 

Remote Valve #74 736.0 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Power to be provided by Williams at the Mitchell Plant 

0.1 mile Power to be ru

underground 

Remote Valve #75/Meter Station 

749.4 480 V, 5 hp, 50 amp 

Service 

Power to be provided by Williams at the Conway Plant 

0.1 mile Power to be ru

underground 

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9.2.1 Powerline Construction 

The structures would be delivered on flatbed trucks. A mobile crane or picker truck would be needed to install 

the poles. Holes for footings would be excavated for structure placement, typically with radial arm diggers. The 

wooden or steel poles would be directly embedded into the ground and anchors may be required at angles 

and dead ends. The height of each structure would be an average of 30 feet. Pole spacing typically would be 

approximately 300 feet. Conductors (wires) would be attached to the structure using porcelain or fiberglass 

insulators. Alternating current electrical transmission powerlines require four or five sets of wires, one set for 

each electrical phase and one or two sets for overhead shield wires. Pulling or reeling areas would be needed 

for installation of the conductor wires. Each pulling or reeling area would be less than 0.25 acre in size and 

spaced at approximately 300-foot intervals. 

Overland Pass has recommended that local service providers adhere to design concepts (APLIC 1996; APLIC 

and USFWS 2005) to prevent collision and electrocution hazards for foraging and migrating raptors, including: 

1. On single-phase structures, a minimum vertical separation of 36 inches from phase to the ground 

would be used to accommodate eagles and most wading birds; 

2. On three-phase structures, a vertical clearance of at least 43 inches between uninsulated 

conductors, ground wires, and grounded hardware on poles with 8-foot crossarms, would provide 

the required 60-inch clearance; 

3. Corner poles may be constructed in a conventional manner, if jumper wires were insulated and 

center phase non-conducting extension links were used; 

4. If conductor separation could not be achieved and covering or reframing was impractical, perch 

guards (triangles) with optional perches may be used for protection of large perching birds; 

5. Where adequate separation of conductors, or conductors and grounded parts, could not be 

achieved, covering conductors may be the only solution short of reframing or replacing structures; 

and 

6. If transformers, cutouts or other energized or grounded equipment were present on the structure, 

jumpers, cutouts, and bushings should be covered to decrease the chance of bird electrocution. 

9.2.2 Restoration 

After the powerline structures are in place and the conductors are strung between the structures, the disturbed 

areas would be restored. The soil in the disturbed areas would be reshaped and contoured to its original 

condition. Reseeding would follow landowner requirements. All litter and other remaining materials would be 

removed from the construction areas and properly disposed. 

9.3 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences 

This section addresses the natural and human resources potentially affected by the construction, operation, 

and maintenance of the proposed electrical powerlines associated with the Proposed Action. Impacts 

associated with the electrical service drops are expected to be minimal and comparable to those associated 

with supplying electricity to the average home or farm. 

As proposed, the powerline routes cross streams, wetlands, and riparian areas that are likely to attract raptors 

and migratory birds. The new electrical powerline segments would incrementally increase the collision 

potential for migrating and foraging bird species (e.g., raptors and migratory birds [APLIC 1994]). However, 

collision potential typically is dependent on variables such as the line location in relation to high use habitat 

areas (e.g., nesting, foraging, and roosting), line orientation to flight patterns and movement corridors, species 

composition, visibility, and line design. In addition, distribution lines that are less than 69 kV but greater than 

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1 kV pose an electrocution hazard for raptor species attempting to perch on the structure. Configurations less 

than 1 kV or greater than 69 kV typically do not present an electrocution potential, based on conductor 

placement and orientation (APLIC 1996). 

Potential collision and electrocution impacts to bird species from the Proposed Action could be reduced further 

if electrical service providers agree to implement the mitigation measures proposed in Overland Pass’ 

Suggested Guidelines for Raptor Protection on Power Lines (Overland Pass 2007). 

9.4 Cumulative Impacts 

While the construction of the powerlines would overlap in space and time with other projects, the amount of 

surface disturbance caused by powerline construction would be negligible compared to other development 

projects discussed in Chapter 5.0. The total disturbance caused by the construction and operation of the 

powerlines would be minor and dispersed across hundreds of miles. 

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