September 20, 2024 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUWA Statement on the proposed Cross-Tie 500-kV Transmission Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) – 9.20.24
Contacts:
Steve Bloch, Legal Director, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA); (801) 859-1552; steve@suwa.org
Grant Stevens, Communications Director, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA); (319) 427-0260; grant@suwa.org
Salt Lake City, UT – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the release of the final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Cross-Tie 500-kV Transmission Project, a proposed transmission line (214 miles of which would be on BLM land) connecting Utah and Nevada. A 45-day public protest period on the Final EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) ends November 4, 2024. Below is a statement from SUWA Legal Director Steve Bloch.
“SUWA supports the urgent and necessary transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy, as well as the need to improve reliability in energy transmission. We’re disappointed, however, with the FEIS’s disclosure that the Cross-Tie Transmission Line will carry electricity generated by the burning of fossil fuels, as well as renewables. Up until now, Cross-Tie has been heavily promoted as a means to “import and export renewable energy” across the region; that isn’t borne out in the FEIS. At the same time, we appreciate the siting changes proposed to better protect the wild nature of Utah’s West Desert. SUWA will closely review the FEIS and supporting materials to determine our next steps“ said Steve Bloch, SUWA Legal Director.
Resources
- SUWA Statement on the Proposed Cross-Tie 500-kV Transmission Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) – 11.9.23
- SUWA Blog Post & Advocacy Action: Cross-Tie Transmission Project: Proposed Improvements to Protect Wild Places
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The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) is a nonprofit organization with members and supporters from around the country dedicated to protecting America’s redrock wilderness. From offices in Moab, Salt Lake City, and Washington, DC, our team of professionals defends the redrock, organizes support for America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, and stewards this world-renowned landscape. Learn more at www.suwa.org.
