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Report Makes Case for Transmission Alternatives
A report released by the Bonneville Power Administration
(BPA
) on January 25 recommends the agency explore alternatives to expensive transmission upgrades. The report’s authors, energy consultants Tom Foley
and Eric Hirst
, detailed a methodology for comparing how alternatives might provide equal or greater benefits at a lower cost than building new high voltage lines or upgrading existing ones.
Alternatives include investing in energy efficiency, locating generation sources closer to where energy demands are greatest, negotiating interruptible contracts in areas where transmission lines are overburdened at times of peak energy use, and providing incentives for customers to switch from electricity to natural gas.
Expansion of BPA Transmission Planning Capabilities
also recommends BPA and the agency’s utility customers establish transmission prices which reflect the true cost of service at specific times and locations. Locational and time of use pricing would provide incentives for consumers to use electricity more efficiently which in turn could defer expensive transmission upgrades.
Environmental and consumer advocates, who have long argued for a more comprehensive least-cost approach, hailed the report. The report notes, however, that the least-cost planning methodology requires BPA and other transmission owners investigate alternatives many years in advance. Transmission line siting and construction requires lead times of three years or more. The report acknowledged many of BPA’s impending projects may need to go forward without undergoing this review process. Among those projects is the controversial Seattle
area Kangley-Echo Lake
project which the authors believe is needed so soon that substitutes may not be easily found.
BPA is seeking public comment on the report. Comments should be sent by February 28 to Brian Silverstein
, TOP/PP02-2, Bonneville Power Administration, Post Office Box 61409, Vancouver, WA 98666-1409.
— Steven Weiss