Transmission Line Upgrade Adds More Community Meetings Into the Mix

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In June, Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises (WSPWE) and Portland General Electric (PGE) will begin a series of meetings to start dialogue with communities across all 100 miles of the Bethel-Round Butte transmission line, including the portion located on the Reservation. This is part of how we are continuing to explore the line upgrade, which is now named the “Warm Springs Power Pathway” project. We want everyone who has an interest in the project — which also includes U.S. Forest Service and private lands — to be informed and offer feedback.

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Federal Investments in the Warm Springs Power Pathway Add to National Security, Technological Supremacy and Prosperity

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In 2023, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS) was selected to receive a $250 million Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help advance vital transmission upgrades to the existing Bethel-Round Butte transmission line in partnership with Portland General Electric (PGE).

Now called the Warm Springs Power Pathway, this project will contribute to the Nation’s economic and military security and our American prosperity, while supporting our country’s position as a leader in global technology.

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WSPWE watches for changes and continues its work with new federal administration

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By Cathy Ehli, General Manager Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises

Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises (WSPWE) is working to support the sovereignty of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs by advancing opportunities for economic development through the energy industry. We often must collaborate with the United States federal government, for example, to gain access to federal financial assistance. With the new administration, we are keeping a close eye on any updates that may affect our projects, especially the Bethel-Round Butte transmission line upgrade.

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Bethel-Round Butte transmission line: its capacity and our ownership

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In our first column, we briefly mentioned the $250 million grant that Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises (WSPWE) received, on behalf of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, to upgrade the Bethel-Round Butte transmission line. We’d like to share a little bit more about what makes this so significant for the Tribes and why it’s a critical part of the Enterprises’ work to support Tribal sovereignty.

Here’s the backstory. The line transmits power from the Pelton Round Butte hydropower project to the Willamette Valley. It was built in the 1960s, and it needs to be upgraded because the current line’s capacity is fully utilized.

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