BPA, utilities to build $14 million power line

PORTLAND — The Bonneville Power Administration says it signed an agreement Monday with three utilities to build a $14 million high-voltage line in central Washington. Under the agreement, the BPA would share costs with Chelan, Douglas and Grant County public utility districts. The route has yet to be determined, and the project must still pass environmental review. Construction could start in 2014. The new 9-mile line would improve the efficiency and reliability of the Northwest transmission grid.