20260403Direct Vail.pdf

RECEIVED
APRIL 3, 2026
IDAHO PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY AND ) CASE NO. IPC-E-26-09
PACIFICORP D/B/A ROCKY MOUNTAIN )
POWER FOR CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC ) CASE NO. PAC-E-26-06
CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR )
SEGMENT E-8 OF THE GATEWAY WEST )
500-KV TRANSMISSION LINE . )
IDAHO POWER COMPANY
DIRECT TESTIMONY
OF
RICK A. VAIL

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 I . INTRODUCTION AND QUALIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 II . PURPOSE AND SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3 III . PACIFICORP' S TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND GWWE-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4 IV. PRE-CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN, AND PERMITTING ACTIVITIES . . . . . 8
5 V. CONCLUSION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
VAIL, DI - 1
Rocky Mountain Power

1 I . INTRODUCTION AND QUALIFICATIONS
2 Q. Please state your name, business address, and
3 present position with PacifiCorp.
4 A. My name is Rick A. Vail . My business address is
5 825 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 1600, Portland, Oregon 97232 . My
6 present position is Vice President of Transmission. I am
7 responsible for transmission system planning, customer generator
8 interconnection requests and transmission service requests,
9 regional transmission initiatives, asset management, capital
10 budgeting for transmission, and administration of the Company' s
11 Open Access Transmission Tariff ("OATT") . I am testifying on
12 behalf of PacifiCorp d/b/a Rocky Mountain Power (the "Company") .
13 Q. Please describe your education and professional
14 experience.
15 A. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honors in
16 Electrical Engineering with a focus in electric power systems
17 from Portland State University. I have been employed at the
18 Company since 2001 and have had a range of management
19 responsibilities within the asset management group, including
20 capital planning, maintenance policy, maintenance planning, and
21 investment planning. I served as Director of Asset Management
22 from 2007 to 2012 . 1 became Vice President of Transmission in
23 December 2012 .
24
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Rocky Mountain Power

1 II . PURPOSE AND SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY
2 Q. What is the purpose of your testimony?
3 A. Idaho Power and PacifiCorp (together, the "Parties"
4 or "each Party") are requesting the Commission issue an order
5 granting each Party a Certificate of Public Convenience and
6 Necessity ("CPCN") for Segment E-8 of the Gateway West 500-
7 kilovolt ("kV") line ("Segment E-8" or GWWE-8") , the Midpoint to
8 Hemingway 500-kV transmission line (the "Project") . My testimony
9 supports the Company' s application for a CPCN for Segment E-8 .
10 The Project is a sub-segment of the Energy Gateway West Segment
11 E transmission line from Populus to Hemingway which consists of
12 two single-circuit 500-kV lines that run approximately 616 miles
13 between the Populus Substation in eastern Idaho, to the
14 Hemingway Substation in western Idaho.
15 My testimony and exhibit provide information required by
16 Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") Rules of
17 Procedure 52 and 112 and Idaho Code § 61-526, related to
18 applications for CPCNs, for GWWE-8 .
19 Q. Please summarize your testimony.
20 A. Segment E-8 is necessary for the Company to meet
21 its customers' short- and long-term energy demand, and will
22 strengthen the overall reliability of the existing transmission
23 system. Gateway West Segment E has long been recognized as an
24 integral component of the Company' s long-term transmission
25 planning. Current planning studies identify a need for the
VAIL, DI - 3
Rocky Mountain Power

I entire segment by 2036 . Due to the structure of the Amended and
2 Restated Gateway West Transmission Project Development Agreement
3 ("Project Development Agreement") between the Parties for Energy
4 Gateway West, PacifiCorp will maintain a one percent ownership
5 share of Segment E-8 .
6 III . PACIFICORP' S TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND GWWE-8
7 Q. Please briefly describe PacifiCorp' s transmission
8 system.
9 A. PacifiCorp owns and operates approximately 17, 000
10 miles of transmission lines ranging from 46-kV to 500-kV across
11 multiple western states . PacifiCorp has over 2 million customers
12 with approximately 88, 000 customers located in Idaho. Idaho is
13 located (along with Wyoming and Utah) in PacifiCorp' s eastern
14 Balancing Authority Area ("BAA") , PACE, which has over 12, 640
15 circuit-miles of transmission lines and a record peak demand of
16 13, 195 megawatts ("MW") .
17 Q. Is PacifiCorp' s transmission system interconnected
18 with any third-party systems?
19 A. Yes . PACE alone is interconnected with 17 other
20 systems, including Arizona Public Service, Bonneville Power
21 Administration ("BPA") , NV Energy, Los Angeles Department of
22 Water & Power, NorthWestern Energy, Western Area Lower Colorado-
23 Phoenix, Idaho Power Company ("Idaho Power") , Western Area
24 Colorado Missouri-Loveland, Western Area Power Administration,
25 Black Hills Power, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, Utah
VAIL, DI - 4
Rocky Mountain Power

1 Municipal Power Agency, Deseret Power Electric Cooperative,
2 Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Intermountain Power Agency,
3 Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, and Public
4 Service Company of New Mexico.
5 Q. Please describe the Project, and Project route .
6 A. As depicted in Map 1, the Project includes building
7 a new 133-mile single-circuit 500 kV transmission line between
8 the Midpoint Substation in Jerome, Idaho, and the Hemingway
9 Substation in Melba, Idaho.
10 Map 1—Gateway West Segment E-8 Map
GATEWAY WEST
TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT
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11
12 After leaving Hemingway substation, the transmission line
13 extends south and east approximately six (6) miles through
14 Owyhee County. After crossing the Snake River, it continues east
15 approximately three (3) miles through Canyon County. It
16 continues east approximately 30-miles through Ada County,
VAIL, DI - 5
Rocky Mountain Power

I skirting the northern boundary of the Idaho National Guard' s
2 Orchard Combat Training Center. Upon entering Elmore County, the
3 transmission line crosses Interstate 84, then turns south and
4 east and continues approximately 56-miles through Elmore County.
5 The transmission line generally parallels the existing
6 Hemingway to Midpoint 500kV transmission line through Owyhee,
7 Canyon, Ada Counties, and the majority of Elmore County, and
8 also intersects with the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey
9 National Conservation Area (NCA) at multiple locations within
10 these same counties .
11 After exiting Elmore County, the transmission line
12 continues in an easterly direction approximately 29 miles
13 through Gooding County, continues two and half (2 . 5) miles
14 through the southwest corner of Lincoln County; and continues
15 six (6) miles finally terminating at Midpoint substation in
16 Jerome County.
17 Q. What infrastructure is required for the line?
18 A. The Project requires constructing 30 . 3 miles of
19 single-circuit 500-kV transmission line through Ada County, 3 . 3
20 miles in Canyon County, 55 . 7 miles through Elmore County, 28 . 8
21 miles through Gooding County; 6 . 0 miles through Jerome County,
22 2 . 5 miles through Lincoln County, and 5 . 9 miles in Owyhee
23 County.
24 Additionally, GWWE-8 will require construction of the
25 following ancillary facilities : a new communication station near
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Rocky Mountain Power

1 King Hill in Elmore County; approximately 60 miles of new access
2 roads and 16 miles of temporary roads; modification of
3 approximately 404 miles of existing roads .
4 Q. What is the total cost estimate for the Company' s
5 share of the Project?
6 A. The Company estimates that its in-service cost of
7 the Project will be $9 . 10 million, including AFUDC.
8 Q. Has the Company put in place any cost controls for
9 the Project?
10 A. Yes . Operating under the existing Project
11 Development Agreement including the current preconstruction
12 phase, the Company utilizes best practice project controls
13 including monthly tracking of budgets, forecasts, and schedules .
14 Professional Services required to support permitting and
15 preconstruction activities were competitively bid. The project
16 budget adheres to all Company project controls and governance .
17 Q. When does the Company expect construction of the
18 Project to be complete?
19 A. As discussed in Idaho Power Witness Ms . Lindsay
20 Barretto' s Direct Testimony, Idaho Power will take over
21 management of the Project when construction activities begin and
22 has informed the Company that it expects to complete
23 construction of Phases I and II in late 2028 and Phase III in
24 summer 2030 .
VAIL, DI - 7
Rocky Mountain Power

1 IV. PRE-CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN, AND PERMITTING ACTIVITIES
2 Q. What is PacifiCorp' s role in developing the
3 Project?
4 A. Under the initial Project Development Agreement
5 between Idaho Power and the Company (executed January 12, 2012,
6 and amended several times thereafter) , both Parties are required
7 to jointly support the regulatory processes associated with
8 obtaining necessary permits and other project development work.
9 When the Project is completed, Idaho Power and the
10 Company will jointly own, as tenants-in-common, the transmission
11 line and all associated facilities and equipment. ) Per the
12 Project Development Agreement, PAC is responsible for federal,
13 state, and local permitting efforts, engineering and design, and
14 pre-construction activities for the Project.
15 Q. Can you generally discuss PacifiCorp' s engineering
16 and design activities?
17 A. Segment E-8 will be constructed using approximately
18 540 structures utilizing self-supported single-circuit lattice .
19 Tangent lattice structures are designed to support the
20 conductors where the transmission line angle at the structure
21 location is typically 1° or less, meaning the transmission line
22 is essentially a straight line. Very similar structures by
23 appearance support the transmission line at a transmission line
24 angle (direction changes) up to about 220 . Dead end towers with
1 Id. at 26.
VAIL, DI - 8
Rocky Mountain Power

1 more complex insulator assembles and heavier/stronger structures
2 will be used when transmission line angles are greater than 30° .
3 The self-supporting steel lattice structures will be
4 fabricated with galvanized steel members treated to produce a
5 dulled galvanized finish. The average distance between 500-kV
6 structures, or span, typically will range between 1, 200 to 1, 300
7 feet with occasional longer spans in challenging terrain.
8 Structure heights will vary depending on the terrain and the
9 requirement to maintain minimum conductor clearances from the
10 ground, but the 500-kV single-circuit structures will vary in
11 height from approximately 145 to 199 feet. Each transmission
12 line structure type is individually designed, depending on the
13 line angle and the underlying soil and rock conditions, to
14 withstand the pull of the wires in different directions . Each
15 transmission line structure will be set on self-supporting cast-
16 in-place concrete drilled piers .
17 The 500-kV single-circuit self-supporting steel lattice
18 structures each require four foundations, one at each of the
19 corners of the lattice structures . Typically, the foundations
20 for the self- supporting single-circuit tangent lattice
21 structures will be composed of steel-reinforced, drilled
22 concrete piers . Alternative foundation types may be used to
23 include grillage, precast pad and pedestal, screw piles, and
24 micropiles . Geologic or loading conditions as well as
25 environmental disturbance constraints, among other concerns, may
VAIL, DI - 9
Rocky Mountain Power

1 necessitate the use of one or more of these alternatives and
2 impact the foundation diameter and/or depth.
3 Q. Can you please elaborate further on the conductor
4 used for GWWE-8?
5 A. The conductor for the lines is 1, 272 thousand
6 circular mil (kcmil) aluminum-conductor steel-reinforced (ACSR)
7 triple-bundled Bittern. For all 500-kV lines, each phase of the
8 three-phase circuit will be composed of three subconductors in a
9 triple-bundle configuration. The triple-bundle configuration
10 provides adequate current carrying capacity and provides for a
11 reduction in audible noise and radio interference as compared to
12 a single large-diameter conductor. Each 500-kV subconductor will
13 have a 45/7 aluminum/steel stranding, with an overall conductor
14 diameter of 1 . 345 inches, a weight of 1 . 432 pounds per foot, and
15 a non-specular finish.
16 Q. What additional capabilities will the line have?
17 A. Each structure will have two lightning-protection
18 shield wires installed on the peaks of each of the 500- kV
19 single-circuit steel lattice structures . One of the shield wires
20 will be composed of extra-high-strength steel wire with a
21 diameter of approximately 0 . 5 inch and a weight of 0 . 517 pound
22 per foot. The second shield wire will be an optical ground wire
23 (OPGW) constructed of aluminum and steel, which carries 48 - 96
24 glass fibers in its core. The OPGW will have a diameter of
25 approximately 0 . 64 inch and a weight of approximately 0 . 375
VAIL, DI - 10
Rocky Mountain Power

1 pound per foot. The glass fibers inside the OPGW shield wire
2 will provide optical data transfer capability among the Parties'
3 facilities along the fiber path for the Parties' operation of
4 the Project. The data transferred are required for system
5 control and monitoring. All 500-kV line elements of the Project
6 will be designed to carry an OPGW.
7 Q. Are any substation improvements required for the
8 Project?
9 A. Segment E-8 requires expansion of both the Midpoint
10 substation, located near Jerome, Idaho, and the Hemingway
11 substation, located near Walters Ferry, Idaho. Both the Midpoint
12 and Hemingway substations are existing substations .
13 Q. What improvements are needed for the Midpoint
14 Substation?
15 A. The Midpoint Substation is an existing substation
16 located on Idaho Power fee-owned property. The existing Midpoint
17 substation will be expanded by approximately 40 acres to
18 accommodate the Project. Expansion of the Midpoint substation
19 will include installation of a new 500-kV bay using conventional
20 air-insulated bus and equipment. Major facility/equipment
21 additions to be installed at Midpoint substation also includes
22 substation steel dead-end structures, circuit breakers and
23 related switching equipment, and bus work. All disturbance
24 necessary to support the expansion of the Midpoint Substation
VAIL, DI - 11
Rocky Mountain Power

1 will occur within the approximately 40-acre permanent
2 disturbance expansion area.
3 Q. What improvements are needed for the Hemingway
4 Substation?
5 A. The Hemingway Substation is an existing substation
6 located on Idaho Power fee-owned property that will be modified
7 to add an additional bay using conventional air-insulated bus
8 and equipment, inside the current Hemingway Substation fence
9 line . All disturbance necessary to support the modification of
10 the Hemingway Substation will occur within the existing fence
11 line and an existing access road will be used to support
12 construction.
13 Major facility/equipment additions to be installed at Hemingway
14 Substation will also include substation steel dead-end
15 structures, circuit breakers and related switching equipment,
16 and bus work.
17 Q. Can you generally discuss PacifiCorp' s pre-
18 construction activities?
19 A. Permitting and pre-construction activities have
20 occurred to support the Segment E-8 since 2018 when the right-
21 of-way was granted by the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") .
22 Following the initial introduction to federal and state
23 agencies, in 2023 the project was introduced to local agencies,
24 and the bulk of pre-construction activities began to move
25 forward. Pre-construction activities include environmental,
VAIL, DI - 12
Rocky Mountain Power

1 cultural and paleontological surveys, obtaining the necessary
2 easements, and engineering design.
3 Q. What environmental, cultural and paleontological
4 surveys have been conducted?
5 A. In response to requirements set forth in Section 7
6 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) , Section 106 of the National
7 Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) , the Paleontological Resources
8 Preservation Act, and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) ,
9 pedestrian field surveys have been conducted for the following:
10 • Special-status species of plants and wildlife .
11 • Cultural resources (a 100% Class III survey of the
12 area of potential effects) .
13 • Paleontological resources in geological units and/or
14 Potential Fossil Yield Classification 3, 4, and 5 as
15 identified by BLM paleontologists .
16 • Areas that were identified by National Wetland
17 Inventory data or aerial photo interpretation as
18 having large wetlands or wetland complexes and most
19 stream/wash crossings .
20 Q. What concerns do the surveys address?
21 A. The environmental field surveys are being conducted
22 in accordance with agency-approved survey protocols . Based on
23 the data resulting from the surveys, the agencies and the
VAIL, DI - 13
Rocky Mountain Power

1 Companies coordinated to derive the following detailed
2 recommendations :
3 • Avoiding or mitigating impacts on environmental
4 resources identified as sensitive to Project-related
5 disturbance.
6 • Addressing site-specific mitigation that is required
7 by the agencies to meet the stipulation (s) of
8 approval .
9 • Developing mitigation that meets the requirements for
10 the issuance of the Notice to Proceed ("NTPs") , as
11 described in the BLM Right of Way ("ROW") grant.
12 These protections and commitments have been
13 incorporated into the Plan of Development which is
14 currently being reviewed by the agencies for their final
15 approval prior to construction. The BLM' s Plan of
16 Development ("POD") is expected to be finalized in 2027 .
17 Q. What easements are required for the Project?
18 A. New permanent and temporary land rights are
19 required for the transmission line facilities, primarily for the
20 transmission line corridor, access roads, and work areas . The
21 Project will be located on federal land managed by the BLM and
VAIL, DI - 14
Rocky Mountain Power

1 the Bureau of Reclamation ("BOR") , state lands managed by the
2 Idaho Department of Lands, and private lands .2
3 The Parties were granted a permanent 250-foot-wide ROW
4 for the Project and associated on and off ROW access roads
5 across federal lands in 1979 and amended in 2018 . The Companies
6 are currently working with the Idaho Department of State Lands
7 to acquire appropriate easements across state lands for
8 permanent Project facilities prior to construction.
9 The Parties are actively working with private landowners
10 to obtain the necessary easements .
11 Existing utilities, including railroads will be crossed
12 by the Project and may also require approvals and/or easements .
13 The Parties have identified these facilities, their owners, and
14 are working with them to obtain the necessary approvals .
15 Q. Can you generally discuss the permitting activities
16 efforts led by PacifiCorp?
17 A. The Company is working through all the necessary
18 permits and rights of way for the Gateway West Segment E-8
19 transmission project. As a part of the permitting process, the
20 Parties have held eight (8) public open house events and three
21 (3) neighborhood meetings to date. Ten of these meetings were
22 held in-person at various locations near the Segment E-8 route,
23 and one virtual meeting was made available for those unable to
2 The BOR has delegated full administrative responsibility of BOR-administered
lands to the BLM based on coordination with BOR under a 1982 Interagency
Agreement.
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Rocky Mountain Power

1 attend on site. Three additional neighborhood meetings are
2 planned in accordance with the conditional use permit
3 applications . Stakeholder briefings have been held with Ada
4 County, Canyon County, Elmore County, Gooding County, Jerome
5 County, Lincoln County, and Owyhee County, as well as with the
6 Idaho Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Magic Valley
7 Congressional District, and the Boise Congressional District .
8 The project has been discussed and reviewed with the
9 Idaho Fish and Game, the Office of Energy and Mineral
10 Resources/Office of Species Conservation, the Idaho State
11 Historic Preservation Office, the Idaho National Guard, Idaho
12 Food Producers, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho State
13 Department of Agriculture, and the Idaho Department of Parks and
14 Recreation. A list of regulatory permits and land use approvals
15 that were necessary for the transmission line, along with their
16 status as of March 25, 2026, is included as Exhibit No. 4 .
17 Q. When do you anticipate PacifiCorp' s
18 responsibilities for the Project will be complete?
19 A. Idaho Power is expected to take over as
20 construction project manager in late 2026 or 2027 . The Company
21 will continue to be engaged in the Project through a future
22 Construction Funding Agreement.
23
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Rocky Mountain Power

1 V. CONCLUSION
2 Q. Please summarize your recommendation to the
3 Commission.
4 A. GWWE-8 will provide substantial benefits to Idaho
5 Power and PacifiCorp customers, the line is necessary, and in
6 the public interest. Based on these conclusions, I recommend
7 that the Commission grant Idaho Power and PacifiCorp each a
8 CPCN, to ensure Idaho Power may begin timely construction of the
9 line and maintain the expected energization of the first section
10 of the line in late 2028 .
11 Q. Does this conclude your direct testimony?
12 A. Yes .
13
VAIL, DI - 17
Rocky Mountain Power

1 DECLARATION OF RICK A. VAIL
2 I, Rick Vail, declare under penalty of perjury under
3 the laws of the state of Idaho:
4 1 . My name is Rick Vail . I am employed by Rocky
5 Mountain Power as the Vice President of Transmission.
6 2 . On behalf of Rocky Mountain Power, I present
7 this pre-filed direct testimony in this matter.
8 3 . To the best of my knowledge, my pre-filed
9 direct testimony and Exhibit No. 4 is true and accurate .
10 I hereby declare that the above statement is true to
11 the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I understand
12 it is made for use as evidence before the Idaho Public
13 Utilities Commission and is subject to penalty for perjury.
14 SIGNED this 3rd day of April 2026, at Portland,
15 Oregon.
16
17 Signed.-
18 Rick A. Vail
19
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VAIL, DI - 18
Rocky Mountain Power

BEFORE THE
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
CASE NO. IPC-E-26-09
IDAHO POWER COMPANY
VAIL, DI
TESTIMONY
EXHIBIT NO. 4

Action Requiring Agency Permit,License, Relevant Laws and Status/Estimated
Permit,Approval,or Compliance,or Review Regulations Timeline to Obtain
Review
FEDERAL
Locating Facilities on Land under Federal Management
Compliance with BLM Final Supplemental CEQ 40 CFR 1500 Final SEIS-2017,
NEPA Environmental Impact ROD 2017
Statement and Record of
Decision
Preconstruction BLM ROW grant(An agency- FLPMA of 1976(Public ROW Grant-July
surveys and reports; approved POD is Law[PL] 94-579);43 27,2017
geotechnical studies; required prior to United States Code
construction, initiating any (USC) 1761 et seq.;43 POD and
operation, construction or other CFR 2800 Preconstruction
maintenance surface disturbing Surveys—Q2 2026
activities)
Biological Resources
Protection of USFWS Compliance;Migratory Migratory Bird Treaty POD and
migratory birds Bird Mitigation Memo Act(16 USC 703 et Preconstruction
seq.);50 CFR 1 Surveys—Q1 2027
Protection of bald and USFWS Compliance Bald and Golden Eagle
golden eagles Protection Act of 1972
(16 USC 668)
Protection of special- BLM Compliance BLM Policy Manual
status species 6840;Forest Service
Manual 2670;individual
agency guidance
Protection of fish, BLM Compliance BLM Policy Manuals
wildlife,and aquatic 6500 and 6720
resources
Exhibit No.4
Case Nos. IPC-E-26-09&PAC-E-26-06
R.Vail,PAC
Page 1 of 6

Action Requiring Agency Permit,License, Relevant Laws and Status/Estimated
Permit,Approval,or Compliance,or Review Regulations Timeline to Obtain
Review
FEDERAL
Discharge of dredge or USACE Section 404 permit CWA(33 USC 1344); Q 12027
fill material into (coverage under
waters of the U.S., nationwide permit)
including wetlands
Placement of USACE Section 10 permit Rivers and Harbors Act Q1 2027
structures and of 1899(33 USC 403)
construction work in
navigable waters of
the U.S.
Cultural Resources
Disturbance of historic Federal lead Section 106 consultation NHPA(54 USC 306108; Commitments to
properties agency, State 36 CFR 800) protect cultural,
Historic historic and tribal
Preservation resources are
Office,Advisory included in POD
Council on
Historic
Preservation
Surveys are well
Potential conflicts with Federal lead Consultation with American Indian underway;The
freedom to practice agency,federal affected American Religious Freedom Act Companies will
traditional American land management Indians of 1978(42 USC 1996); obtain to complete
Indian religions agency Religious Freedom needed treatment
Restoration Act of 1993 activities prior to
(PL 101-141) construction.During
construction
Disturbance of graves, Federal land Consultation with Native American Graves Contractor will be
associated funerary management affected American Protection and responsible to obtain
objects,sacred objects, agency Indian groups regarding Repatriation Act of 1990 if needed.
and items of cultural treatment of remains and (25 USC 3001-3002)
patrimony obj ects
Investigation of Affected land State and federal permits Section 106
cultural resources management for study of historical Consultation,National
agency and archaeological Preservation Act
resources
Excavation of Affected land Antiquities and Cultural Archaeological
archaeological management Resource Use Permit Resources Protection Act
resources agency of 1979(16 USC 470aa
to 470ee);
Protection of Affected land Compliance National Trails System
segments,sites,and management Act of 1968(PL 90-
features related to agency 543); 16 USC 1241 et
National Trails seq.
Exhibit No.4
Case Nos. IPC-E-26-09&PAC-E-26-06
R.Vail,PAC
Page 2 of 6

Action Requiring Agency Permit,License, Relevant Laws and Status/Estimated
Permit,Approval,or Compliance,or Review Regulations Timeline to Obtain
Review
FEDERAL
Paleontological Resources
Surface disturbance on BLM and BOR Compliance with BLM 40 CFR 1500-1508; Included in POD
federal land or federal and BOR mitigation and FLPMA(43 USC 1701
aid project planning standards for et seq.);36 CFR 291;
paleontological BLM Handbook H-
resources of public lands 8270;BLM Manual
8270
Collection of BLM and BOR Permit to collect Paleontological Surveys are well
paleontological paleontological Resources Preservation underway;The
resources from federal resources from federal Act of 2009(16 USC Companies will
land lands 470aaa.);FLPMA of obtain to complete
1976;BLM Handbooks needed treatment
H-8270 and 8270-1 activities prior to
construction.
During
construction
Contractor will be
responsible to
obtain if needed.
Air Traffic
Location of towers and Federal Aviation File Notice of Proposed Federal Aviation Act of The Companies
spans in relation to Administration Construction or 1958(PL 85-726); 14 will obtain prior to
airport facilities and Alteration;Federal CFR 77 construction—Q2
airspace Aviation Administration 2027
to determine if structure
is No Hazard
Exhibit No.4
Case Nos. IPC-E-26-09&PAC-E-26-06
R.Vail,PAC
Page 3 of 6

Action Requiring Agency Permit,License, Relevant Laws and Status/Estimated
Permit,Approval,or Compliance,or Review Regulations Timeline to Obtain
Review
STATE OF IDAHO
Surface Disturbance and Water Quality Degradation
Construction sites Idaho Department Section 401 Water Idaho Administrative The Companies will
with greater than 1 of Environmental Quality Certification, Code(IAC)58.01.25 obtain prior to
acre of land disturbed Quality(IDEQ) Idaho Pollution construction—Q2
Discharge Elimination, 2027
Large Construction
General Permit,and
Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan
Consider alteration of Idaho Department Stream Channel IS 42-3804;IAC The Companies will
any stream channel or of Water Resources Alteration Permit and 37.03.07 obtain prior to
wetland. Wetland Removal Fill construction—Q2
Permit 2027
Air Quality
Construction Air Quality Consultation with IDEQ IAC 58.01.01 Construction
Division,IDEQ for compliance with Contractor will
Construction General obtain prior to
Emission Standards construction—Q4
2027
State Lands
Crossing easement Idaho Department Non-roadway easement IAC 20.03.08 The Companies will
of Lands and temporary use obtain necessary
permit for crossing easements prior to
state-administered land construction—Q2
2027
Utility
Crossing easements Idaho Utility permit,oversize — The Companies will
Transportation permit(self-issuing) obtain necessary
Department easements prior to
construction—Q2
2027
Exhibit No.4
Case Nos. IPC-E-26-09&PAC-E-26-06
R.Vail,PAC
Page 4 of 6

Action Requiring Agency Permit,License, Relevant Laws and Status/Estimated
Permit,Approval,or Compliance,or Review Regulations Timeline to Obtain
Review
STATE OF IDAHO
Greater Sage-Grouse
Requires that all All state agencies Compliance with EO State of Wyoming EO Included in POD—
agencies demonstrate 2019-3 2015-4 Q4 2026
that activity proposed
for permitting be
compliant with the
requirements of the EO
in greater sage-grouse
core areas
Biological Resources
Habitat modification Idaho Department Potential project impacts Endangered Species Surveys are well
of Fish and Game to fish and wildlife Act(16 USC 1531 et underway—Q1
species and their habitat seq.);IAC 2027
13.01.06.150
State-listed Noxious Weeds and Other Invasive Plant Species
Construction and Idaho State Compliance IS 22-2407 Surveys are well
operation activities Department of underway—Q1
Agriculture 2027
Pesticide use Idaho State Compliance IS 22-2407 Permits will be
Department of obtained prior to
Agriculture use,if needed
Paleontological Resources
Collection of Idaho State Permit to collect IS 67-4120 The Companies will
paleontological Historical Society paleontological resources obtain to complete
resources from state from state lands needed treatment
lands activities prior to
construction.
During construction
Contractor will be
responsible to
obtain if needed.
Exhibit No.4
Case Nos. IPC-E-26-09&PAC-E-26-06
R.Vail,PAC
Page 5 of 6

Action Requiring Agency Permit,License, Relevant Laws and Status/Estimated
Permit,Approval,or Compliance,or Review Regulations Timeline to Obtain
Review
STATE OF IDAHO
Local and County
Conditional Use Ada County, Consider issuance of — The Companies are
Permits Idaho;Elmore conditional use permits for preparing
County,Idaho construction of applications—Q4
transmission line(varies 2026
by county).
Special Use Permits Gooding Consider issuance of — The Companies are
County,Idaho; special use permits for preparing
Jerome County, construction of applications—Q1
Idaho transmission line(varies 2027
by county).
Temporary Use Planning Consider issuance of a — Construction
Permit,Grading Department building permit or a Contractor will
Permit Temporary Use Permit for obtain prior to
material and contractor construction
yards and a grading permit
for noxious weed control
coordination.
Encroachment Permit Public Works Consider issuance of an — Construction
Department encroachment permit for Contractor will
new access roads where obtain prior to
they intersect with existing construction
county roads.
Road Crossing Permit, Public Works Consider issuance of road — Construction
Road Maintenance Department crossing permit Contractor will
Agreement obtain prior to
and road maintenance construction
agreement for overhead
transmission line.
Exhibit No.4
Case Nos. IPC-E-26-09&PAC-E-26-06
R.Vail,PAC
Page 6 of 6