PGE invites Wilsonville residents to learn about Tonquin Project, electrical grid

Published 12:30 pm Tuesday, August 5, 2025

By Mac Larsen

This simulation shows the before and after appearance of the power poles at Southwest Ridder Road and Southwest Boones Ferry Road. (Submitted by Portland General Electric)

Portland General Electric is upgrading the electrical grid in Wilsonville and wants the community to ask questions at an upcoming open house. 

Since 2023, PGE has worked to complete 11 miles of new transmission lines across Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties, while also constructing  a replacement  substation in Wilsonville. The effort, referred to as the Tonquin Project, is intended to help modernize the power grid and allow redundancy — alternative routes power can travel along if one is blocked — to accommodate future growth. 

A group of Stafford area residents operating under the name Save Stafford Road have fought against the project, citing possible fire risks, decreases in property values and harm to the rural character of the area. 

To answer questions and educate Wilsonville residents about the power grid, PGE is hosting an open house from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at the Clackamas Community College Wilsonville Campus. 

The drop-in event will feature remarks from Larry Bekkedahl, PGE’s senior vice president of strategy and advanced energy delivery, at 6:45 p.m. and PGE’s project team members can also  answer questions directly. 

To ask questions ahead of time, email communityconnect@pge.com.

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