FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, CORRECTED INFORMATION: April 30, 2004

CONTACT: Sam Miller, 406-247-7466, csmiller@wapa.gov or

                      LaVerne Kyriss, 720-962-7051, kyriss@wapa.gov

LAKEWOOD, Colo.—Public meetings are planned next month to review the draft scope for a study that examines how the addition of 500 megawatts of wind generation will affect the transmission system in North Dakota and South Dakota. The meetings are planned for Pierre, S.D., and Bismarck, N.D., on June 15 and 16.

Western Area Power Administration is hosting the meetings as part of its effort to kick off the transmission study ordered by Congress. At the meetings, Western staff will make a short informational presentation outlining the draft study scope and then open the floor for questions and comments.

The meetings are set for 7 to 9 p.m., June 15 in Pierre and June 16 in Bismarck. The Pierre meeting will be held at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 920 West Sioux St., in Amphitheater 2. The Bismarck meeting is set for the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 800 S. Third St., in the Cannonball Room.

Western developed the draft study scope with input from public comments. The draft and other background material are available online at http://www.wapa.gov/ugp/study/DakotasWind/. The draft study scope outlines four tasks:

·        Analyze nonfirm transmission potential relative to new wind generation

·        Assess transmission technology potential relative to new wind generation

·        Study interconnection of new wind generation

·        Study delivery to market of new wind generation

The draft also calls for two additional tasks, pending funding availability: develop a cost-sharing loan and/or grant program for partially funding transmission studies for wind projects and updating the models developed in the study at regular intervals to incorporate ongoing changes to the Dakotas’ transmission system.

For more information about the Dakotas Wind Study or to receive future updates about it, visit the Web site or call or e-mail Sam Miller at 406-247-7466 or csmiller@wapa.gov.

Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of power from hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 15 western and central states.  It is part of the Department of Energy.

-30-