Lake Tahoe, Stateline, NV – The U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and California Public Utilities Commission have released a final environmental document for the electrical line upgrade project proposed by California Pacific Electric Company, now known as Liberty Utilities, in the North Lake Tahoe area.

The final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement can be reviewed on the TRPA website. Copies of the document are also available at the Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Truckee libraries; at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and Tahoe National Forest offices; and at the TRPA offices.

Notice of this document’s availability was published Friday, September 19, 2014 in the Tahoe Daily Tribune and will be published in the United States Federal Register on or about September 26, 2014.

The final EIR/EIS document reflects more than four years of federal, state and regional planning that included public scoping and review, public comments, and agency review and discussion.

A draft EIR/EIS document was posted for public review and comment in November 2013. Since that time, lead agencies have been working together and with other agencies and the public to address and incorporate public input and ensure that proper procedures have been completed.

Project Description: The proposed 625/650 Electrical Line Upgrade Project would consist primarily of an upgrade of Liberty Utilities’ existing 625 and 650 power lines and associated substations from 60 kilovolts to 120 kilovolts, to allow the entire North Lake Tahoe Transmission System to operate at 120 kilovolts. The project is proposed to be constructed in a phased approach with the first installation being a rebuild of the 650 line.

Next Steps: Following the release of this final environmental document, the USFS, TRPA, and CPUC will follow through with their respective processes for final consideration. The final EIR/EIS is available online at https://www.trpa.gov/get-involved/major-projects/.

Liberty Utilities has also posted the final EIR/EIS document online for public review, along with other information about the proposed 625/650 Electrical Line Upgrade Project, on its website at www.libertyutilities.com/west.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information, call Tom Lotshaw, Public Information Officer, at 775-589-5278.

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