EPHRATA - To accommodate growth, Grant County PUD officials recently announced plans for a new transmission line.

The 115 kilovolts transmission line will connect the Rocky Ford Substation with either the Dover Substation located on Patton Boulevard in Moses Lake or the Larson Substation located on Road 7 Northeast in Moses Lake, according to a PUD statement.

The final route will be decided after the agency gathers public input on the proposal. The PUD will hold two public meetings at the district's Moses Lake office located at 312 W. 3rd Ave.

The first meeting will be held 5 to 8 p.m, Jan. 31. The second open-house meeting will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Feb. 7.

According to district, the new transmission line is needed to support the county's growing demand for electricity. The project will also improve service reliability to customers.

Three potential routes have been selected based on feasibility and social and environmental impacts. Landowners and ratepayers interested in the new transmission line are encouraged to attend one of two meetings.

"It's important that customers participate in this process. Their input will help us make an informed decision on the preferred route for the new transmission line," stated Customer Service Director Andrew Munro.

PUD officials are expected to identify a preferred route after the second public meeting,

For more information, visit www.gcpud.org.