Western's RSS Feed

Warren named Rocky Mountain regional manager

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:12:42 GMT

Administrator Tim Meeks today announced the selection of Bradley Warren as the Rocky Mountain regional manager in Loveland, Colo. Warren brings more than 27 years of diverse technical and senior management expertise to Western's Rocky Mountain Region. He has most recently served as Western's Colorado River Storage Project Management Center Manager in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Western Employee Honored with National Safety Council's Distinguished Award

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:14:15 GMT

A tireless dedication to teaching and promoting safety in the community, industry and the workplace led Ken Schriner, a safety and security specialist in Western Area Power Administration's Rocky Mountain Region, to be selected for the National Safety Council's highest honor for an individual. Schriner will receive the 2009 Distinguished Service to Safety Award on Oct. 26 during NSC's fall exposition in Orlando, Fla. "This award is a big deal," said RM Safety Manager Bill Marsh, Schriner's supervisor for the past seven years. He noted that Schriner is always "looking at new methods to focus the craft workers on safety." NSC also recognized him for spreading the message of safety beyond the workplace to audiences across the country for the past 33 years. Known for his personable teaching style and expertise on a variety of safety topics, he has spoken at conferences and to organizations, and has taught hundreds of co-workers, Boy Scouts, emergency responders and home health caregivers the proper use of First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillators. He also serves on his community's emergency preparedness team. In selecting him for the Distinguished Service Award, NSC President and CEO Janet Froetscher recognized Schriner's tireless dedication to updating operating procedures, promoting safety certification, encouraging professional development and sharing safety lessons learned with his colleagues. She said, "Mr. Schriner has keen insight into today's safety and health issues and has made tremendous contributions to the field. The council is honored to present him with this award." NSC is a non-profit organization that educates and influences people to prevent accidental injury and death at work, in homes and communities and on the roads.

Western purchases renewable energy certificates

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:58:03 GMT

Through the Renewable Resources for Federal Agencies program, Western has purchased renewable energy certificates to help meet renewable energy goals set by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. 3 Degrees, Unicoi Energy Services, LLC and NextEra Energy Resources will supply Western with approximately 11,486 RECs in 2009; 50,000 RECs in 2010; and 1,372 RECs in each year from 2011 to 2015.

ROD to finance a portion of the MATL project

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:18:58 GMT

A pdf of the Federal Register Notice announcing the record of decision to finance a portion of the Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. Project (MATL)

Department of Energy Announces Start of Western Area Power Administration Recovery Act Project

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:51:10 GMT

With the goal of bringing new jobs and green power to the West, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today a large-scale transmission project to be financed using funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Western Area Power Administration will use borrowing authority under the Recovery Act to help build the $213 million Montana-Alberta Tie Limited (MATL) transmission project between Great Falls, Montana, and Lethbridge, Alberta. Almost two-thirds of the 214-mile transmission line will be located on U.S. soil, creating American jobs and allowing for the continued expansion of renewable energy production.

Basin Electric and NextEra Energy sign agreement for Day County wind project

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:10:00 GMT

Bismarck, N.D. Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Next Era Energy Resources (formerly FPL Energy) have signed an agreement to develop another wind farm. The project will be located in Day County near Groton, S.D. East River Electric Power Cooperative, Madison, S.D., will provide the transmission interconnection for the project. This is the fifth agreement between Basin Electric and NextEra Energy with NextEra Energy building, owning and operating a large wind project and Basin Electric purchasing the electricity. The other four wind projects are located near Wilton (two phases) and Edgeley, N.D., and Highmore, S.D. Ron Harper, Basin Electric CEO and general manager, said this agreement is a perfect example of working together to accomplish goals. "Back in 2005, our members directed us to provide 10 percent of their electricity needs from renewable forms of energy. Since then, we've been working hard to accomplish that goal," he said. "As wholesale power suppliers, we are obligated to develop facilities that will keep electricity rates affordable…and working with NextEra Energy, were able to accomplish that goal." The 99-megawatt capacity Day County Wind Farm will feature 66, 1.5-megawatt wind turbines; almost identical to the ones operating near Highmore, S.D. Construction will begin as soon as all permits and approvals are received. Its anticipated the project be ready for commercial operation by late 2010.

Public open-house scoping meeting set for Hualapai Valley Solar Project

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:04:55 GMT

An open-house public meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, in Kingman, Ariz., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.at the Kingman High School Auditorium, 4182 Bank Street, Kingman, Ariz. 86409 on the proposed Hualapai Valley Solar Project.

Western announces new Transmission Infrastructure Program Manager

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:39:17 GMT

Administrator Tim Meeks announced today his selection of Craig Knoell as the new Transmission Infrastructure Program manager for Western Area Power Administration. Knoell will start his appointment as TIP manager on Sept. 13. Read the news release or see Knoell’s bio for more information.

Western explores strategies to purchase additional power

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:26:59 GMT

To continue to meet the needs of its Loveland Area Projects customers, Western Area Power Administration, a Federal agency under the Department of Energy, is exploring new power purchase strategies to control and manage costs. Western is requesting interest from suppliers for the long-term purchase of firm electrical energy with capacity, non-firm electrical energy or a combination of the two. On August 11, Western released a Request for Interest, available at http://www.wapa.gov/fedreg/FRNpdfs/RMR2009 Long-Term Resource RFI.pdf, outlining the details of the request. The energy would be delivered to Western’s Rocky Mountain Region for a term to exceed five years but terminating no later than September 2024. Western is requesting up to 100 megawatts in on-peak hours and up to 20 megawatts in off-peak hours. The RFI does not specify a maximum price. Due to an extended drought and changes to river operations, Western has been purchasing short-term electrical energy when Loveland Area Projects generation is less than Western has committed to provide its customers under firm electric service contracts. Responses to this RFI will allow Western to determine how best to supplement Loveland Area Projects Federal generation. Western should receive responses to this RFI by September 10, 2009.

Environment process kicks off for Hualapai Valley Solar Project

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:07:54 GMT

Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and conduct scoping meetings on the proposed interconnection of the Hualapai Valley Solar Project.