BPA is seeking comments on a draft proposal to address seasonal electricity oversupply by paying wind energy producers to curtail their output if necessary. There is also an associated proposal for how BPA would recover the new costs that would be incurred. 

BPA has been engaged in discussions with a number of key stakeholders since last spring to find an equitable solution to oversupply. The proposal is based on concepts developed in these discussions. BPA is releasing the proposal now to allow for broader public input before we file tariff language.

BPA is seeking comments on the proposal, which is described in two documents: a) new tariff language for addressing oversupply (Attachment P); and b) a more detailed narrative which explains the proposed methods for managing oversupply and allocating the associated costs.

BPA is accepting comments on the proposal through noon Feb. 21 and will host a workshop on Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon in the BPA Rates Hearing Room.

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has been asked by Iberdrola Renewables, Inc. (Iberdrola) to interconnect up to 404 megawatts of electricity generated from the Montague Wind Power Project in Gilliam County, Oregon, to BPA’s transmission system.  To interconnect the proposed Project, BPA would need to expand the existing Slatt Substation also in Gilliam County, Oregon by approximately one acre.  BPA currently owns this land.  BPA does not propose to purchase any of the power produced by this wind project. 

As a federal agency, BPA must consider the environmental impacts of its decision to interconnect under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  BPA is asking for your comments on the proposed interconnection including the proposed Slatt Substation expansion.

To learn more about the project, use the link below, or contact Zach Gustafson at zrgustafson@bpa.gov or call 503-230-7312.

The Bonneville Power Administration is proposing to rebuild a 32-mile section of the Albany-Eugene 115-kilovolt No. 1 Transmission Line. No major work has been done on the line since it was originally built in 1940. There is a need to rebuild the line to maintain reliable electrical service and to avoid risks to the safety of the public and maintenance crews. BPA recently completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement reviewing the potential environmental impacts of this proposal as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Please provide your comments on the Draft EIS by March 5, 2012.

BPA will hold a public meeting on February 22, 2012 to review and discuss the Draft EIS. Based on public input throughout the process and the final EIS, BPA will make a decision whether to proceed with the project in the winter of 2012.

Public meeting information:
                Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012
                   Harrisburg High School
                       multi-purpose room
                        400 S. 9th Street
                    Harrisburg, OR 97449
                        4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
      
To learn more about the project use the link below, or contact Doug Corkran at dfcorkran@bpa.gov or call 503-230-7646.

To view previous comments received during the initial public scoping period: http://www.bpa.gov/applications/publiccomments/CommentList.aspx?ID=114

If you have a comment you would like to submit that doesn't fit into one of the formal comment periods that are open, you can submit it here.

Please include the subject of the comment in the first sentence.