June 25, 1999

Contact LaVerne Kyriss

303/275-1236 , kyriss@wapa.gov

The new plans take effect when current power contracts expire in 2004. The plans call for marketing power to eligible customers across much of the West.

"These new marketing plans reach a balance between continuing to serve long-time customers and bringing the benefits of cost-based, renewable Federal hydropower to new customers--particularly Native American tribes in the intermountain West," said Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, in announcing the plans. "Eligible tribes can apply for Federal power to serve their electrical needs even if they do not have utility status. These plans further our efforts to meet the trust responsibility to tribes."

Nearly 200 cities and towns, rural electric cooperatives, public utility districts, irrigation districts, Native American tribes and state and federal facilities purchase this power from Western Area Power Administration, the Department of Energy agency that markets and transmits federal hydropower across most of the West. Western sells 40 percent of regional hydropower in its 15-state service territory. Hydropower provides about 10 percent of the nation's electrical supply.

Power revenue from these three projects added up to nearly $350 million in FY 1998. Revenues are used to pay the costs of operating the power facilities of the projects and repay the Federal government's investment--with interest--in the facilities used to generate and deliver power.

Marketing plan details were published in the Federal Register and can be found on Western's website at www.wapa.gov.