Officials see progress in transmission-line venture

HELENA – A proposed $3 billion wind-power transmission line from Montana to Nevada is moving closer to reality, TransCanada officials told Gov. Brian Schweitzer today.

While the project still needs permission from federal regulators, officials with the Alberta-based energy business said they have secured an “anchor” company that has agreed to a 25-year contract to supply half of the 3,000 megawatts the line would carry.

“There is some skin in the game,” said Alan Davis, TransCanada’s senior project advisor.

TransCanada officials said they hope release the anchor company’s name in April as they continue to seek suppliers to provide another 1,500 megawatts of power.

The venture, formerly called Northern Lights, has been split to Montana and Wyoming projects. Montana’s portion, called “Chinook,” would originate in the state and transmit 3,000 megawatts over 1,000 miles to Nevada, with a converter station in Harlowton.

Wyoming’s project, called Zephyr, would also run to Nevada.

The power is expected to be generated from Montana wind farms, which have expressed strong interest in the project, TransCanada officials said.

Schweitzer expressed confidence in the project and its winning federal approval under an Obama administration.

“I think you’re going to find in the next four years we’re going to have some of the fastest regulatory processes in the history of this country,” Schweitzer said.

TransCanada officials are hoping for approval from the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by the end of February.

-by CNS correspondent Molly Priddy