NEWS FROM WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 28, 2009
Contact: Theresa Williams, 720-962-7051, twilliams@wapa.gov
WESTERN NAMES MANAGER TO LEAD TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Administrator Tim Meeks announces Craig Knoell as Western’s Transmission Infrastructure Program Manager, who will manage the new program to help meet transmission needed for the delivery of renewable energy to the electrical grid. Knoell starts his appointment on Sept. 13.
“As the need for renewable resources continues to grow, so does the need to transmit the power generated by those resources.” says Meeks. “While delivering reliable and affordable power to our customers is a priority for Western, the Recovery Act now gives Western $3.25 billion of borrowing authority to also help the Department of Energy diversify our country’s energy supply.”
Meeks concludes by saying, “I am confident in Craig’s leadership of the program, which will create new partnerships while maintaining long-standing customer relationships that ensure delivery of reliable power to millions of consumers in the West.”
Western’s Transmission Infrastructure Program, in place since May, will develop new electric power transmission lines and related facilities across the western United States. Knoell’s project management and public involvement experience and his innate ability to connect with communities are valuable assets to lead the program.
With 28 years in engineering and management fields, as well as his expertise in working with individuals and overseeing major transmission and operations projects, he has the experience needed to help meet the Obama Administration’s initiative to create new jobs and deliver clean, home-grown renewable energy to consumers across the West.
Knoell comes to this new position from Western’s Rocky Mountain Regional Office where he was previously a program manager for various transmission facility improvements. Before that, Knoell was the Federal Power Programs Manager. Throughout a four-state region, he was responsible for managing power marketing, rates, settlements, contracts and energy services. He has worked as a project manager for petrochemical infrastructure construction, is a licensed engineer in Utah, has a master’s degree in engineering management and a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering.
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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
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