Public involvement

Engaging the public early and developing long-term relationships with communities is critical to Western's success. We work to involve customers; property owners; tribes; local, state and Federal agencies; elected officials and community groups in program and project public involvement processes. We are committed to working collaboratively with industry partners to provide safe and reliable power and transmission services.

The Department of Energy has developed DOE, NEPA, and You (1,498 kb pdf) to encourage and help you to participate in the National Environmental Policy Act process. 

See public notices related to Western's interconnection projects.
See public notices related to Western's infrastructure maintenance and upgrade projects.

Meetings and events

Western holds meetings throughout our service territory to update customers and interested publics on programs and projects, and to identify and address communities' concerns early in the planning process.

Public meetings

Western invites you to attend the following upcoming public meetings to learn more about proposed projects and programs, identify concerns and submit comments.

Nov. 29, 2011- Estes to Flatiron Transmission Line Rebuild Project
An open-house informal public meeting for the proposed Estes to Flatiron Transmission Line Rebuild Project environmental assessment will be held at the Estes Park Museum, 200 Fourth Street, Estes Park, Colo. The meeting is scheduled from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., (MST). The meeting will be informal, and attendees are invited to speak one-on-one with agency and Project representatives.

Nov. 30, 2011- Estes to Flatiron Transmission Line Rebuild Project
An open-house informal public meeting for the proposed Estes to Flatiron Transmission Line Rebuild Project environmental assessment will be held at the Police Institute/LPD, 810 East 10th Street, Loveland, Colo. The meeting is scheduled from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., (MST). The meeting will be informal, and attendees are invited to speak one-on-one with agency and Project representatives. 

Comment periods

Western invites your comments on our programs, activities and policies. The following projects are currently accepting public comment through the date listed:

Jan. 29, 2010 - Boulder Canyon Project Remarketing Effort
Public comment period for the Boulder Canyon Project Remarketing Effort.  Send written comments to Mr. Darrick Moe, Western Area Power Administration, Desert Southwest Regional Manager, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457, fax (602) 605-2490, or e-mail comments to Post2017BCP@wapa.gov.  

Feb. 16, 2010 - Quartzsite Solar Energy Project
Public scoping period for the Quartzsite Solar Energy Project draft environmental impact statement.  Send written comments to Ms. Mary Barger, Western Area Power Administration, Desert Southwest Region, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457, e-mail comments.  

Mar. 1, 2010 - Hermosa West Wind Farm Project
Public scoping period for the proposed Hermosa West Wind Farm Project draft environmental impact statement.  Send written comments to Mark Wieringa, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 281123, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213, e-mail comments.  

Mar. 1, 2010 - South Dakota PrairieWinds Project
Public scoping period for the proposed South Dakota PrairieWinds Project draft environmental impact statement.  Send written comments to Ms. Liana Reilly, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 281123, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213, fax (720) 962-7263, e-mail comments.  

Western NEPA document status and schedules

U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments Status Chart – Current Western EISs and EAs are included in the Department of Energy's report, with comments on past and anticipated activity.

Western's 2009 Annual NEPA Planning Summary -  A listing and description of ongoing and expected Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements

Other projects

Upper Great Plains Wind Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

Western and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement to evaluate the impacts of wind energy development in Western's Upper Great Plains Region (all or parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota), and on the Service's grassland and wetland easements in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. The PEIS also will identify mitigation strategies, standard construction practices, and best management practices; and establish a comprehensive environmental program for evaluating future projects.

An online center for public involvement for the Upper Great Plains Wind Energy PEIS has been developed to provide access to information about the project and ways to participate in the PEIS process.

Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is conducting a collaborative long-term study and planning process called the Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan. The MRERP, with its integrated environmental impact statement, will identify the actions required to restore ecosystem functions, mitigate habitat losses and recover native fish and wildlife on the Missouri River. The planning process will seek to balance restoration actions with diverse social, economic and cultural values within the basin.

Solar Energy Development Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy; and the Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, are preparing a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate utility-scale solar energy development, to develop and implement Agency-specific programs that would establish environmental policies and mitigation strategies for solar energy projects, and to amend relevant Agency land use plans with the consideration of establishing a new BLM solar energy development program.

An online public information and involvement center for the Solar Energy Development PEIS has been developed to provide access to information about the project and ways to participate in the PEIS process.

West-wide energy corridor Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

The Department of Energy, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are preparing a programmatic environmental impact statement to evaluate issues associated with energy corridor designation on western public lands (excluding Alaska) administered by the BLM and the USFS. An online public information and involvement center for the West-wide Energy Corridor PEIS has been developed to provide access to information about the project and ways to participate in the PEIS process.