Uncategorized
NorthWestern Energy to upgrade Gallatin Canyon transmission line
Published
12 years agoon
By Emily Stifler, Explorebigsky.com Managing Editor
BELGRADE – The transmission line that connects Big Sky to the Gallatin Valley is getting an upgrade, starting this summer.
NorthWestern Energy will start construction on a new 161 kilovolt line in late July or early August and work through the fall, said Claudia Rapkoch, a spokeswoman for the company.
The current 69 kilovolt line between Four Corners and the Meadow Village substation in Big Sky is at capacity or above during some times of the year, Rapkoch said. The other transmission line feeding into Big Sky is a 161kV capacity line that comes into the Lone Mountain substation from Ennis.
NorthWestern is finalizing easements with the majority of private landowners along the new line’s northern segment and will start work there. Traffic delays caused by construction may be possible, Rapkoch said.
The new line will be taller than the current one, and the cross arm will be slightly larger. Most of the supports will again be single pole structures.
The new line will be installed alongside the current one because it cannot be taken down until the new one is operating. Its path will remain mostly the same, differing only in two areas, one near Four Corners and one in Gallatin Gateway. As segments of the new are built and tied into the system, the corresponding segments of the old line will be removed.
“[The upgrade is] important for future growth, and for high demand situations either brought on by extremely cold or hot weather, or during ski season,” Rapkoch said.
As it stands now, if a fallen tree or a wildfire shut down one of the lines during the busy season, the other would be maxed out. In that situation, Rapkoch said, power delivery would be affected.
In addition, because NorthWestern’s grid is interconnected, all parts of the system must perform well for the utility to provide reliable power.
“A problem over here can ultimately create a problem someplace else,” Rapkoch said. “Having [the new line] is important for all for the customers in the area.”
This project is part of NorthWestern Energy’s larger plan to increase capacity and reliability for Big Sky that’s already included the 2010 construction of a new Meadow Village Substation. The Ennis Line will also see an upgrade at some point, Rapkoch said. Because it’s rated at 161kV capacity but energized at only 69kV, the utility will install equipment to increase its capacity instead of having to replace the entire line.
NorthWestern also upgraded the line between Three Rivers and Four Corners seven years ago.
“Because the Gallatin Valley has seen so much growth in the last 10 years, it’s definitely an area we have had to work really hard to keep up with,” Rapkoch said.
NorthWestern Energy’s shareholders will fund the Gallatin Canyon upgrade, which is expected to cost in the range of $35 million over the next few years. The charges will be incorporated into the utility’s rate base, which is regulated by the Montana Public Service Commission and paid by all customers.
The Forest Service is still completing an environmental impact statement for the section of line that runs through public land in Gallatin Canyon. NorthWestern expects to finish that portion over the next two years.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm