The Ute Tribe and TransWest Express LLC announced
on Wednesday
their partnership on plans for the Western electric grid project. According to
Wednesday’s
press release, TransWest contractors will recruit, train and employ tribal members and the two organizations will coordinate throughout the construction process. “Approximately 123 miles of the 730-mile [TransWest Express] Project will be constructed along non-trust lands within or near the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Uintah County and Duchesne County,” shares the release. “TransWest’s prime contractor will seek to retain qualified tribal member-owned businesses as preferred subcontractors in this area.” The TransWest Express project is a 600 kV high-voltage direct current transmission line that has been proposed to run from Wyoming to Las Vegas. The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the project was published in 2015 and a Record of Decision is expected by the end of the year.
