Renewable energy development faces many obstacles in the West. Planning for transmission lines to unite renewable energy with end users is a major land use challenge.
Transmission lines often span hundreds of miles, crossing through multiple jurisdictions, making meaningful stakeholder engagement and consideration difficult to manage. Transmission planning is a dynamic field encompassing issues like permitting, land use, conservation, and design in addition to navigating the public process.
To support the exchange of innovative and emerging ideas and practices surrounding transmission planning, the Sonoran Institute has developed an online resource, called PowerLine to serve as a clearinghouse of new approaches to transmission planning, design, and mitigation.