The TANC Transmission Project

Related Links:
(Go to our Resource Page for more.)
Informational website on TTP Bob Langley’s blog on TTP
A map of TTP proposals
WAPA’s page on TTP TANC webpage on TTP An Activist site AntiTANC site Stop the powerlines website
Central Valley Wetlands Threatened by Power Lines
Reinvestment Act related to Western Transmission

Officials wary of power line project
Sempra Energy Unit Offers Settlement
NY Times on Senate Draft Plan
NY Times: Senate Panel to Mark Up Transmission
LA Times: Ducks Unlimited protest power line route

Important Update:

WAPA pulls out of the TTP. See more here.

“Western is cancelling the preparation of the environmental impact statement for the proposed Transmission Agency of Northern California Transmission Project. TANC has announced that it cannot undertake a detailed environmental analysis of the proposed project that would have involved new and upgraded 230-kV and 500-kV transmission lines, substations and related facilities in northern California.”

SMUD pulls out of the TTP. Sacramento Bee reports. SMUD officials say they don't feel the project is strong enough to invest a promised $13 million for planning. The battle however, is far from over. Continue sending in your EIR/EIS scoping comments before July 30th, 2009.

What is it?

The TANC Transmission Project is a massive construction project with 600 miles of 230-kV and 500-kV transmission lines, substations, and related facilities.

We oppose this project as it exemplifies Old Green Technology, at the expense of better options. In addition, there are direct seismic and landslide risks inherent in this option (See sidebar).

TANC has repeatedly presented the RETI (Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative) process as the definitive study of renewable energy supplies in Northern California, and cites this study as justification for building new transmission lines. In fact RETI indicates that the small Shasta and Lassen County renewable sites TANC claims might be built, are all either extremely costly, environmentally unsound, or both. They are identified as some of the worst sites. Read the executive Summary, ES 10 and ES 11, and decide for yourself.

You will find more information about the project in the links below.

What can I do?

Your Input is Needed by July 30th

Under CA and federal law, any agency that wants to build a project of this sort must study the environmental effects of the project and must solicit public input before preparing a report on those effects.

Now is the time. This is the point in the process at which it is most possible to stop this project from happening. It is critical to get as many comment letters submitted as possible.

It is your job to tell them where to look as well as what to study and consider. Certain things must be considered in any EIR/EIS but beyond that, no concern has to be considered unless a comment about it has been submitted. Furthermore, any comment that is submitted must be addressed.

We have posted a page with instructions on writing TANC a Comment.

Existing Routes:

Government requires first consideration be given to existing routes