SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) has been awarded $249.6 million from the Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office for project RELIEF (Reliable Electric Lines: Infrastructure Expansion Framework). Project partners PacifiCorp and Garkane will contribute an additional $252 million, bringing the total funding to over half a billion dollars.
RELIEF is a collaborative project involving Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, the National Association of State Energy Officials, California Independent System Operator, Western Power Pool, Utah State University, various vendors, and matching partners PacifiCorp and Garkane.
The initiative aims to deploy advanced high-temperature, low-sag conductor cables to improve grid reliability for 700,000 utility customers across five states and five tribal nations. By leveraging existing rights of way across 250 miles of power lines, the project will boost transmission capacity, integrate more than 500 MW of renewable energy, and prevent over 5,500 hours of potential outages.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say that modern society exists because of energy,” said OED Acting Director Dusty Monks in a release. “RELIEF uses cutting-edge grid technologies so that Utah and our neighbors across the West can provide the reliable, affordable, and adequate energy our communities need. It also shows the power of collaborations, bringing together states, industry, and other organizations.”
“Securing federal funding to install advanced conductors is a transformative step toward modernizing our energy infrastructure,” added Curt Mansfield, PacifiCorp’s senior vice president of power delivery. “This investment not only enhances grid reliability and resilience but also supports the integration of renewable energy sources, driving us closer to a more sustainable and efficient energy future.”
RELIEF’s investment in grid reliability supports growing populations and thriving economies, increases resilience against natural disasters, integrates renewable energy resources, and strengthens energy security in the region. A key focus of the project is on vulnerable communities and workforce development. About 55% of RELIEF’s efforts directly benefit underserved communities, and the project is expected to create 500 new jobs through a $12 million investment in workforce training opportunities for more than 150 high schools and community colleges across rural and disadvantaged communities.
The landmark initiative should substantially increase the resilience of the West’s grid and resources for developing the energy workforce of tomorrow. It also highlights the importance of bringing multiple stakeholders to the table, including government, industry, and energy-related organizations.