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Cross-Tie

Cross-Tie Transmission Line image

Cross-Tie Route Overview Map

Cross-Tie Transmission Line

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Cross-Tie Transmission Line is a proposed 500-kilovolt (kV) line connecting Utah and Nevada. The approximately 214-mile line would go into service in 2027.

The line would increase transmission capacity, improve reliability, enhance flexibility and provide more access to a wider pool of renewable energy across the region.

This project would strengthen the transmission system between Utah and Nevada, relieve congestion on other key transmission lines in the region, and increase the ability for California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming to import and export renewable energy.

TransCanyon will develop, own and operate the project's transmission facilities.

KEY FACTS

Target in-service date: 2027

Size: 500-kV

Length: 214 miles

Rating: 1,500-MW

Estimated cost: $750 million


 

PROJECT BENEFITS

The Cross-Tie Project will help meet economic regional needs across the west by facilitating more efficient, lower-cost dispatch by interconnecting two systems that currently have limited transfer capability. The Cross-Tie Project will increase the transfer capability (limited to 600 MW today on the Red Butte to Harry Allen 345-kV line) by 1,500 MW. This additional transfer capability can further enable cross-system transactions and benefits, such as the following:

  • Regional economic benefits can be realized from more efficient resource procurement and generation dispatch.
  • The project provides an alternate transmission path and relieves congestion on California – Oregon Intertie.
  • The project is expected to add economic value of decreased solar curtailment by increasing transfer capability between SoCal/NV and the UT/WY regions.
  • The Cross-Tie Project can help facilitate transactions between EIM entities in the 5-minute market to lower energy costs to customers across the West.
  • The development of the day ahead market (EDAM) will significantly increase the value of the Cross-Tie Project.
  • Additional transfer capability can also facilitate bilateral contracts for lower cost capacity or energy between entities in the PacifiCorp system and the Desert Southwest or California.
  • An economic study performed by the Brattle Group determined that the present value (PV) of benefits of Cross-Tie is between $12.6 billion and $25.1 billion for the WECC, which results in a benefit to cost ratio of up to 2.1.

 

PROJECT MILESTONES

Sept. 20, 2024 – Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) Made Available

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Department of Agriculture-Forest Service (Forest Service) released a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Cross-Tie Project. The FEIS provides a detailed analysis of the project’s potential impacts, as well as proposed alternatives. The FEIS also outlines key mitigation and environmental protection measures that TransCanyon has committed to following throughout construction, operations and ongoing maintenance. 

June 12, 2024 – DOE Capacity Contract Negotiations Agreement

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office selected TransCanyon to enter into capacity contract negotiations for up to 25% of the Cross-Tie 500-kilovolt transmission line as part of the Transmission Facilitation Program. The agreement was executed on June 12, 2024. 

Jan. 17, 2023 – Cross-Tie Project achieves accepted WECC rating of 1,500 MW bi-directional 

The WECC Phase 1 study report described in detail all the analysis conducted to arrive at a path rating. The Phase 1 studies and results show that the Cross-Tie Project can meet the NERC Reliability Standards/WECC Criteria and that the 1,500 MW Proposed Rating for the Cross-Tie Project is achievable.

WECC Phase 2A work performed during 2018 resulted in planned non-simultaneous ratings of 1,500 MW West-to-East and 1,500 MW East-to-West being approved on Jan. 31, 2019. In May 2021, the Cross-Tie Project Review Group (PRG) was renewed and during June - October 2021, the study plan and cases to use during the Phase 2B analysis were updated. The Phase 2B simultaneous analysis began during November 2021 and on Dec.r 1, 2022, the PRG approved the Cross-Tie Project Phase 2B Report. On Dec. 7, 2022, WECC sent the report to other WECC members for a 30-day review as proof of conformance to the Path Rating Process. No comments were received during the review period, and the Cross-Tie Project achieved Phase 3 status on January 17, 2023, with an accepted bidirectional rating of 1,500 MW.

 
 
PUBLIC OUTREACH

Please click here to leave a comment about the Cross-Tie Transmission Line

Bureau of Land Management has initiated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Process with the publication of a Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register.

For more information on the NEPA process, please visit the BLM project site at https://go.usa.gov/xzvQm.

Note: TransCanyon hosted three early public outreach meetings (see below) to provide an opportunity for people to learn about the project and to solicit their comments regarding the project. We encourage the public to provide comments at any time using the comment link above or by emailing cross-tie@transcanyon.com.

* Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 at Juab High School 

* Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Millard County School District Office 

* Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 at the White Pine County Library 

September 2021 Public Outreach Meeting Display Boards