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Portland General Electric plans to build over 200 miles of single and double-circuit transmission lines from its plant in Boardman to Salem.

But before that happens, the Oregon Department of Energy is seeking public comment on the project, called the  , which would cross through wildlife areas, tribal lands and privately held lands.

Portland General Electric has already applied to the federal government for right-of-way permits to cross federally managed lands and has submitted a Notice of Intent to apply for an Energy Facility Site Certificate from the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council.

The project is needed, PGE says, to allow transmission to future wind projects planned in Eastern Oregon and to meet increasing customer demand for electricity. The project, if approved and permitted by the state, federal government and tribal governments, would break ground in 2013 and be operational by mid-2015.

“It takes years to study and permit projects like this,” said PGE spokesman Steve Corson. “We will be working with affected property owners throughout the length of the project.”

Those interested in commenting on the project should visit . The deadline for comments is July 27.