NWCC NATIONAL WIND COORDINATING COLLABORATIVE

HIGHLIGHTS

JULY 1, 2008

DATES TO REMEMBER

REGISTRATION OPEN: Midwestern Wind & Transmission conference – Midwestern Wind Energy: Moving It to Markets on July 31 – August 1 in Dearborn, Michigan promises to be a jam-packed, dynamic opportunity for discussing implementation of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) Energy Security and Climate Stewardship platform for the Midwest. The meeting will kick off with opening remarks from Governor Granholm (D-MI) and will include presentations from representatives of MGA, MISO, and other Midwestern leaders. An optional introductory session will be held on July 30th for those seeking additional background on wind power and transmission prior to the meeting. The meeting is sponsored by the Midwestern Governors Association, the NWCC, and other leading organizations from throughout the Midwest. Draft agendas and logistics are available here. Be sure to REGISTER SOON!.

Abstract Deadline for Wind Wildlife Research Meeting VII has passed - Abstracts for proposed Wind Wildlife Research Meeting VII presentations are due on June 30th. The planning committee has agreed to accept late abstracts, but priority will be given to those received on time or granted special extensions. The call for abstracts is available on the meeting website. Inquiries should be directed to Taylor Kennedy at tkennedy@resolv.org.

Transmission Update Call Scheduled (July 7, 1pm ET) – Different regions are experimenting with new and innovative means of financing new transmission projects. One such concept is an open season, where generators bid to access capacity on a new transmission project. Should enough generators participate and provide financial backing, the transmission project can proceed. The Wyoming Infrastructure Authority is in the midst of an open season for the proposed Wyoming-Colorado Intertie, which would be a 345-kV line that would run from eastern Wyoming to the Colorado Front Range. Twelve bidders have passed a financial credit check and are qualified to bid. In addition, the Bonneville Power Administration is also in the midst of a network open season. BPA recently announced that 29 customers signed participating transmission service agreements, representing 6,905 MW. Of this, over 5,000 MW was for wind projects.

Steve Waddington of the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority and Dennis Oster of the Bonneville Power Administration will participate on the next NWCC Transmission Update call on July 7th at 1pm Eastern (12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT) to talk about their respective open seasons for transmission. For logistical information, please check the NWCC news box at www.nationalwind.org where the information will be posted by July 2.

Transmission Updates – The Transmission Financing Update brief has been distributed and is now available online!

NWCC Personnel Update – We have received a number of inquiries as to whether Abby Arnold’s change of status at RESOLVE (from full-time to 25%-time employee) has impacted her involvement in NWCC. We are pleased that Abby is as involved as ever as Senior Mediator for NWCC. By now, most of you will have heard that the NWCC Outreach Coordinator, Katie Kalinowski, has departed RESOLVE and Washington, DC for a new position at Renewable Northwest Project in Portland. Dana Mason, will be assisting with the NWCC Steering Committee and Transmission Workgroup. Taylor Kennedy continues to support the NWCC Wildlife Workgroup and Environmental Benefits & Costs Workgroup.

NWCC CONFERENCE CALLS

Transmission Update Brief call
July 7, 1:00 pm ET

NWCC WORKGROUP UPDATES

Grassland Shrub Steppe Species Collaborative (GS3C) – Kansas State University (KSU) has submitted its 2nd quarter report on KSU’s greater prairie chickens and wind energy study. It will be discussed on the next GS3C call, scheduled for August 20th. Participants will also begin discussing aGS3C side meeting in tandem with the October Wind Wildlife Research Meeting VII. At this meeting, the GS3C will consult with experts in determining whether to pursue any sage grouse-related activities.

Mitigation Toolbox – Bi-annual updates to the Mitigation Toolbox are currently under review. Stay tuned for notice of the updated version.

Outreach Audit – The Wildlife Workgroup will soon receive a questionnaire for assessing member outreach tools and opportunities. Responses will be considered in developing a proposal for an improved outreach strategy.

Wind Wildlife Research Meeting VII – Planning continues for Wind Wildlife Research Meeting VII. The meeting will be hosted by We Energies and co-sponsored by NWCC, BP Alternative Energy, Horizon Wind Energy, NREL, Audubon Society, Union of Concerned Scientists, and AES Wind Generation, Inc. Wind Wildlife Research Meeting VII will be held in Milwaukee, WI on October 28-29. An optional, introductory workshop will be held on October 27th for interested parties.

Wind/Wildlife Activities & Events Table - The NWCC wind power/wildlife studies, activities, and events table is available online. Please send information on wind-wildlife meetings, studies, or publications to Taylor Kennedy at tkennedy@resolv.org for inclusion in this table and the NWCC calendar.

Midwest - The planning committee for the Midwestern Wind Energy: Moving It to Markets conference met on June 30 to continue finalizing the conference program. The meeting will be July 31-August 1 in Dearborn, Michigan. Registration is available online at http://midwestern08.windworkshops.org/, in addition to the draft agenda and hotel information. Preceding the conference is an optional 101 workshop for those new to wind and transmission topics. These meetings are sponsored by the Midwestern Governors Association and cosponsored by the NWCC; CapX 2020; Western Area Power Administration; Iberdrola Renewables; Wind on the Wires; the American Wind Energy Association; Otter Tail Power Company; Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt, Howlett; ITC; the Michigan Public Service Commission; the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative; the National Conference of State Legislatures; NextEnergy; and the National Association of State Energy Officials. Other parties interested in co-sponsorship are encouraged to contact Dana Mason at dmason@resolv.org.

West - Western Transmission Leadership Group (WTLG) members are reaching out to potential meeting collaborators for a fall / winter meeting. Meeting planning will continue on the July 14 call.

The 6th volume of NWCC’s Implementing Wind Energy & Transmission in the West quarterly newsletter will be posted online and distributed in the coming days.

Layperson’s Guide to Wind Integration – Subgroup members have provided suggested revisions to the initial draft portion of the layperson’s guide. NWCC staff will compile the subgroup’s feedback as the writing process continues

Transmission Updates – The Transmission Financing Update brief has been distributed and is now available online! The next call will discuss the Open Season model for financing new transmission projects and is scheduled for July 7th at 1pm ET (see announcement above for details).