PowerBridge Rejects Fast-Tracked Federal Permits for Columbia River Project

PowerBridge, the parent company of the $1.5 billion Cascade Renewable Transmission System project, declined an offer for fast-tracked federal permitting provided by a Donald Trump administration executive order. The project proposes burying a 100-mile high-voltage power transmission line under the Columbia River to transport electricity from east of the Cascades to population centers and data centers along the Interstate 5 corridor.

Project lead Chris Hocker stated that the company chose the standard permitting process to avoid alienating the states of Oregon and Washington and to better manage the project's complexity. Hocker noted that expedited federal approval would not necessarily impact the review authority of the states. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently requesting additional information from the company to proceed with a comprehensive evaluation.

The project faces significant opposition from the Columbia Riverkeeper and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fishing Commission. These organizations cite concerns regarding the environmental impact of dredging on aquatic species and the potential threat to treaty-protected fishing rights.