NEWS FROM WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2009
CONTACT: Theresa Williams, 720-962-7051, twilliam@wapa.gov
WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION FINALIZES TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
Western to begin selecting renewable energy transmission projects
LAKEWOOD, CO— With the May 14 publication of its new Transmission
Infrastructure Program in the Federal Register, Western Area Power Administration is now ready to start selecting renewable energy transmission projects.
This milestone marks the end of the public comment and review period that helped Western define the policies and practices to be followed in exercising its new borrowing authority granted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“The contributions of our customers and the public at large helped us to develop the best program possible,” said Western’s Administrator Tim Meeks. “With the ground rules in place, the stage is set for initial project selections. With this new program, we remain committed to taking steps that will create new jobs and put lines in place needed to help deliver renewable energy to the market.”
The principles, policies and practices developed in the Transmission Infrastructure Program will guide how Western uses up to $3.25 billion in borrowing authority from the U.S. Treasury to fund transmission infrastructure partnerships to link renewable energy generation with users across the West.
See Western’s Transmission Infrastructure Program Web page for details about the program.
-30-
Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of clean, renewable 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.
Serving the West with Federal hydropower
Return to the Newsroom.