RProject

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Project Status

The R-Project will increase the reliability of NPPD’s transmission system, relieve congestion on NPPD’s existing system, and provide additional opportunities for development of renewable projects, if desired at the local level. Along with these regional benefits, the R-Project will greatly improve reliability in the North Central portion of Nebraska, which is currently still vulnerable to service interruptions during high summer peak loading conditions.

Because the R-Project will cross habitat of the threatened American burying beetle (ABB), NPPD sought an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). On June 12, 2019, after a permitting process spanning more than six years, which included USFWS’s preparation of a final environmental impact statement (FEIS), USFWS issued an ITP to NPPD for the R-Project.

In July 2019, a group of R-Project opponents filed a lawsuit challenging USFWS’s decision under the ESA, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the National Historic Preservation Act. On June 17, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado issued its decision. While the court found in favor of USFWS and NPPD on several counts, it identified certain discrete errors in USFWS’ decision-making process. The court thus vacated and remanded the ITP to USFWS for further proceedings consistent with the court’s order.

On remand, there is need to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) to address the issues identified by the court ruling and to address new information and changed circumstances, as relevant. USFWS has independently selected ICF Jones & Stokes, Inc. to assist USFWS as the NEPA third-party contractor for preparation of the SEIS. USFWS will complete the SEIS, and the public will be involved in the process for completing the SEIS, including public review and comment of the draft analysis prepared by USFWS. (Click to view current information on the SEIS.)

USFWS will also need to revise its Biological Opinion under the Endangered Species Act, and the consulting parties will need to revise the Programmatic Agreement regarding historic properties.

Once those processes are complete, USFWS will issue a Record of Decision regarding NPPD’s application for an Incidental Take Permit for the American burying beetle.

2020
  • November
  • October
  • September
  • August
  • July
  • May
  • April
  • March
  • February
  • January
2019
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
2018
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
2017
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017

— Project Status —

  • Public Relations Presentation (August 2017)
  • Timeline
  • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Permit & Documents

 

COST OF PROJECT

The total project cost estimate for the transmission line and substations is approximately $417.3 million.

What is NPPD’s R-Project?

NPPD plans to construct a 345,000-volt transmission line from NPPD's Gerald Gentleman Station near Sutherland to NPPD's existing substation east of Thedford. The new line will then proceed east and connect to a substation in Holt County.

PROJECT TEAM
Toll-Free (888) 677-3412
PowerLine@nppd.com

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