Western Transmission Workshop

Workshop Overview

January 22, 2003
Sheraton City Centre Hotel
150 West 500 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
(801) 401-2000

Overall Theme

Stakeholder Input into Transmission Planning in the Western US

Key Assumptions

NWCC can help in guiding and strengthening the transmission planning process through expanded stakeholder involvement. But follow-up work – most of the overall effort over a period of months and perhaps years – will be carried out by regional stakeholders. NWCC can facilitate the process and catalyze complementary planning, but cannot, and should not, be the driver. NWCC can provide a forum for discussion of relevant issues, and can then assist as requested by the regional community.

Background

Regional transmission organizations and a few other organizations have started to consider the transmission needs of the area and the impact of potential transmission options. In particular, the Seams Steering Group – Western Interconnection is studying transmission issues in the West. The group will evaluate near-term transmission needs by the end of January and begin the evaluation of longer-term transmission needs. Additionally, other organizations are involved in transmission planning issues, such as the Bonneville Power Administration, the Western Governors’ Association, the Western Regional Air Partnership, and the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies. All of these groups are considering the short-term and long-term impacts of regional transmission issues.

Meeting Objective and Approach

The purpose of this meeting is to educate participants about efforts underway to address transmission planning in the Western US and to enhance transmission planning coordination efforts in the region. The workshop will discuss and consider strategies that will affect future transmission issues in the region and participants will identify planning needs in the region. Based on input for all stakeholders, the NWCC will consider possible activities that can assist the development for transmission planning processes in the West.

Workshop Content

The workshop will begin with a summary of current transmission planning activities in the West. Subsequent sessions will address stakeholder perspectives of the Western Transmission planning process status; emerging policy, market, and technical issues affecting wind; and the impact of efforts to implement Standard Market Design in the region. The conclusion will be a discussion about the gaps in transmission planning in the area and potential roles for the NWCC in addressing Western transmission efforts.

Workshop Audience

The workshop is intended for NWCC Coordinating Committee members, officials of organizations with transmission planning authority, and representatives of organizations currently involved in Western transmission planning activities. In addition, the workshop will solicit perspectives from all sectors with a stake in transmission evolution in the region. The aim is to include individuals who serve as key strategic resources to those who will make major decisions on transmission improvements.

Cost

There is a $45 registration fee for this workshop.