Interconnection-Level Transmission Planning
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rachel Sherrard (360) 213 2674
December 18, 2009
WECC AWARDED $14.5 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDING TO
CONDUCT INTERCONECTION-WIDE ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION
PLANNING
Salt Lake City, Utah – The Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) has received
notification from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that it has been awarded $14.5 million in
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to conduct interconnection-wide electric
transmission planning studies in the Western Interconnection.
The funding allows WECC to significantly expand existing regional transmission planning
activities and broaden stakeholder involvement in planning processes. The resulting
transmission plans will provide high quality, credible information on transmission infrastructure
requirements to decision makers at all levels.
“The DOE funding enables WECC to dramatically enhance regional transmission planning
capabilities and increase cooperation in the Western Interconnection,” said Louise McCarren,
WECC Chief Executive Officer. “WECC expects the resulting plans to facilitate the development
of transmission infrastructure needed to maintain electric grid reliability and to increase access
to renewable and other low-carbon generation resources throughout the region.”
The funding will allow WECC to evaluate long-term regional transmission needs that factor in
variables including electric demand, generation resources, energy policies, technology costs,
impacts on transmission reliability, and emissions. WECC will seek guidance throughout the
project from a broad set of stakeholders including representatives from states and provinces,
utilities, agencies, non-governmental organizations, energy developers, and consumer
advocates.
WECC expects to begin the project with the formation of a multi-stakeholder Scenario Planning
Steering Group and the development of a transmission study work program. Please visit the
WECC Web site at http://www.wecc.biz/Planning FOA 0000068 for additional information on the
project.
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Notes to editors:
1.
WECC – one of eight Regional Entities in North America, encompassing a geographic
area equivalent to over half the United States – is responsible for promoting electric
system reliability and providing a forum for coordinating the operating and planning
activities of its member organizations. WECC members — representing all segments of
the electric industry — provide electricity in 14 western states, two Canadian provinces,
and portions of one Mexican state.
2.
WECC’s response to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Funding Opportunity
Announcement DE-FOA-0000068 can be found at http://www.wecc.biz/Planning FOA
0000068.
3.
Interconnection-wide Transmission Planning Program Partners include:
California Independent System Operator:
ColumbiaGrid
Northern Tier Transmission Group
WestConnect
Arizona State University
Colorado School of Mines
Washington State University
Western Electricity Coordinating Council
www.caiso.com
www.columbiagrid.org
www.nttg.biz
www.westconnect.com
www.asu.edu
www.mines.edu
www.wsu.edu
www.wecc.biz