Boardman to Hemingway is crucial to Clean Today, Cleaner Tomorrow™ – Idaho Power’s goal of providing 100-percent clean energy by 2045. This transmission line will allow Idaho Power to import clean energy from the Pacific Northwest to meet growing demand in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon.

What is it?

Boardman to Hemingway, or “B2H,” is a proposed 500-kilovolt transmission line that will run approximately 290 miles across eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho. It will connect the proposed Longhorn Substation four miles east of Boardman, Oregon, to Idaho Power’s existing Hemingway Substation in Owyhee County, Idaho.

Why is it needed?

Existing transmission lines between the Pacific Northwest and Idaho Power’s service area can’t carry any more energy when it is needed most. The Boardman to Hemingway line will provide the ability to deliver approximately 1,000 megawatts of clean, affordable power in each direction, helping Idaho Power meet customer demand, especially during summer peaks.
B2H is a cleaner, less expensive solution than building new carbon-emitting plants, and it’s less expensive than building new solar or battery storage plants.

Who’s involved?

Idaho Power is partnering with two other utilities, PacifiCorp and Bonneville Power Administration, to obtain permits for the project. Idaho Power, which is leading federal, state and local permitting efforts, has a 21 percent share of the project. BPA has a 24 percent share, and PacifiCorp has the remaining 55 percent.

What’s the schedule?

Idaho Power expects to finalize B2H permitting no later than 2021. We expect construction to take three to four years. The line is planned to be in-service in 2026 or later.

More information

For more details, including maps, documents and photo simulations of the line, visit the project’s website, boardmantohemingway.com.

The project website is a collaboration between Idaho Power, the Oregon Department of Energy, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.

Our View

Read our latest editorial opinion, Transmission Line Will Bring Multiple Benefits to Entire Region, by Idaho Power’s Resource Planning and Operations Director Mitch Colburn.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the Boardman-Hemingway project, or have information you want to share, email us at B2H@idahopower.com, or call toll-free at 1-877-339-0209.