Comments on Integrated Resource Planning due July 29
Western is requesting comments on the proposed evaluation criteria and procedures of the Final Principles of Integrated Resource Planning that we will use for future resource acquisitions. Western is also requesting comments on its proposal to eliminate the transmission planning principles set forth in the final principles. Written comments on the proposed revision are due by July 29, 2011.
Western completes Sacramento transmission line additions, upgrades
Western completed the Sacramento Area Voltage Support Project by energizing two new transmission line segments. This marked the end of construction and the line is now ready for summer season operations in Sacramento, Calif.
The 230-kilovolt line from O’Banion Substation in Sutter County to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Elverta Substation in Sacramento County went online at about 11 a.m., May 21 followed by the 230-kV line from O’Banion Substation to SMUD’s Natomas Substation in Sacramento County at about 2 p.m.
2010 Annual Report released 
Western’s Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Report (2.4 MB pdf) is now available online. The publication documents Western’s accomplishments, as well as its 2010 financials.
Administrator testifies to Congress about budget
Western Administrator Tim Meeks joined the administrators of Bonneville, Southeastern and Southwestern power administrations in testifying before the Subcommittee on Water and Power of the House Natural Resources Committee on Mar. 15. In addition to submitting written testimony (61kb pdf), Meeks briefed the committee members on Western’s accomplishments and proposed FY 2012 budget and responded to questions from the committee. Watch a recording of the hearing.
Hassayampa Tap-ED5 Construction and Rebuild Project Open House, March 9
The Southwest Public Power Resources Group submitted a request seeking Western’s participation in replacement programs and transmission additions in the south Phoenix Metropolitan area.
Western is preparing an environmental assessment for construction of new transmission lines and the rebuild of an existing transmission line from the Hassayampa Tap near the Palo Verde Generating Station to Western’s Electric District 5 Substation.
A public open house (419kb pdf) is scheduled for March 9 at the Casa Grande Parks and Recreations Department in Casa Grande, Ariz.
Public Information Forum Scheduled for Ancillary Services and NITS Rates
Western is hosting a Public Information Forum for Desert Southwest Region customers and interested parties March 10 at the Phoenix office.
The purpose of the forum is to provide information on proposed rate methodologies and new rates for Western Area Lower Colorado ancillary services and Network Integration Transmission Service on the Parker-Davis and Intertie projects. The proposed new rates to go into effect October 1, 2011.
TranWest Express Project holds public meetings
The proposed TransWest Express project continues to move forward with a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, published in the Jan. 4 Federal Register, initiating a 90-day public scoping period. The first round of public scoping meetings on the TWE Project — running 725 to 800 miles of 600-kV direct current overhead transmission lines from Wyoming to the Desert Southwest Region — are posted on Western's project website and the Bureau of Land Management's website.
Western, a possible partner of the TWE project, and BLM expect to hold 23 open-houses at various locations in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Nevada. Staff for BLM, Western and the project will be on hand to explain project details and gather information from interested individuals or groups.
If the project is approved, Western will provide funding through Section 402 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
SMRT Study finds transmission feasible for renewable energy
 According to the November 2010 Sonoran-Mojave Renewable Transmission Project (SMRT) Preliminary Feasibility Study (3.9 MB pdf), development of about 9,500 to 12,500 megawatts of transmission capacity is technically feasible. The study looked at a number of potential new transmission lines and upgrades to existing lines that would, if constructed, provide new transmission capacity in Arizona, California and Nevada primarily to support additional renewable resources, provide wholesale and retail markets with access to those resources and provide a more robust transmission grid.
The study was jointly developed and funded by a diverse group of energy interests that voluntarily joined together to determine the technical feasibility of the lines and explore potential business arrangements to develop SMRT. With the preliminary study complete, the next steps will include soliciting interest in transmission service from renewable developers and other customers to assess SMRT’s economic viability.
Western solicits customer input on comments to FERC
Western intends to file comments in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities (1.1 MB pdf) (NOPR) that was released June 17, 2010 in Docket No. RM10-23. In that NOPR, the Commission is proposing to amend the transmission planning and cost allocation requirements for public utility providers established in Order 890.
Given the unique nature of this particular NOPR, Western will hold an informal customer meeting on August 5, at 10:30 a.m., at our Corporate Services Office at 12155 W. Alameda Parkway in Lakewood, Colorado. Western will provide a high level synopsis of the NOPR and outline the areas it is considering for comment (94 kb pdf). Customers will have an opportunity to comment on the technical areas of the NOPR Western will address in its comments.
Western has established a limited number of phone lines through a conference bridge for those unable to attend in person. Limited WebEx online meeting capability will also be available. To register for the meeting, either in person, conference call or WebEx, e-mail or call Corporate Communications at 720-962-7050.
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