Transmission Line Project That Runs Through Colorado Receives Wyoming Approval

<p>Matt Young/AP</p>
<p>This May 6, 2013, file photo shows a wind turbine farm owned by PacifiCorp near Glenrock, Wyo.</p>
Photo: Wyoming Wind Farm - AP
This May 6, 2013, file photo shows a wind turbine farm owned by PacifiCorp near Glenrock, Wyo.

Wyoming regulators have approved construction of transmission lines to connect energy generated from wind farms in southern Wyoming to southwestern states.

The state Industrial Siting Council voted unanimously Friday during its meeting in Saratoga to approve the permit application by TransWest Express to construct and operate a 730-mile high-voltage transmission system.

TransWest CEO Bill Miller says the decision means that federal and state permitting for the project is now complete.

Miller says the company anticipates beginning construction next year.

The lines would connect from a terminal outside Rawlins and run into northwest Colorado and Utah, ending at another terminal near Las Vegas.