BPA holding public open house on planned and proposed transmission lines
Four lines would add 2,800 megawatts of renewable energy to BPA grid

Portland, Ore. - Local residents who want to learn more about Bonneville Power Administration plans and proposals to build transmission lines to meet the region’s thirst for renewable energy are invited to attend an open house Tuesday, May 26 at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver, Wash., from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Earlier this year, BPA announced plans to build one high-voltage power line and initiate environmental review of three others.  The planned and proposed lines would add 225 miles of high-voltage transmission to BPA’s grid, improving reliability and delivering 3,700 megawatts of energy for the region. About 2,800 megawatts will be from renewable resources.
 
“We want to share with the public how we are planning to expand the grid,” said Brian Silverstein, acting senior vice president of BPA Transmission Services.  “This is an exciting effort and BPA is pleased to have the opportunity to support projects that will deliver green power and provide jobs to the region in a time when both are needed.”

BPA is proceeding with construction of one line and environmental review of three other projects as a result of the Network Open Season process. In 2008, BPA conducted its first Network Open Season to manage its customer requests for long-term transmission service more effectively. During this process, customers signed agreements committing to take the requested transmission service and backing their requests with significant financial security. BPA studied its transmission system and identified where existing capacity was available and where the system needed upgrades. The four transmission line projects are positioned geographically to reinforce BPA’s transmission network and facilitate the transfer of energy associated with Network Open Season requests. In addition BPA has found ways to provide some service without building through innovative transmission products.

Additional information about the four transmission projects mentioned in this release can be found at:

http://www.bpa.gov/corporate/pubs/fact_sheets/09fs/factsheet_-_Investing_in_the_NW_transmission_system.pdf

Additional information about the public meeting can be found at:

http://www.bpa.gov/CORPORATE/PUBLIC_AFFAIRS/CALENDAR/index.cfm?&detailID=1135&newDate=%7bts%20'2009-05-20%2016:00:18'%7d

BPA is a not-for-profit federal electric utility that operates a high-voltage transmission grid comprising more than 15,000 miles of lines and associated substations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.  It also markets more than a third of the electricity consumed in the Pacific Northwest. The power is produced at 31 federal dams owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation and one nuclear plant in the Northwest and is sold to more than 140 Northwest utilities.  BPA purchases power from seven wind projects and has more than 2,000 megawatts of wind interconnected to its transmission system.

 ###

printer friendly