FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2019
CONTACT: Teresa Waugh, mediarelations@wapa.gov, 720-962-7411

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Today, Administrator and CEO Mark A. Gabriel testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee on WAPA’s accomplishments over the past year and efforts to continue investing in a connected energy future.  

Gabriel shared with the subcommittee what WAPA is doing to keep pace with industry changes, strengthen grid resilience, maintain affordable costs for customers and prepare its operations, assets and people for a dynamic energy frontier

These critical efforts include bolstering physical security and cybersecurity and optimizing on interdependencies with the organization’s asset management program, exploring new technologies such as battery storage and artificial intelligence, continuing public-private partnerships to increase benefits to customers and following the recently updated Tactical Action Plan under WAPA’s Strategic Roadmap 2024.

In 2018, WAPA delivered more than 27 billion kilowatt-hours of at-cost hydroelectric power to its nearly 700 customers. WAPA’s rates are often among the lowest in the country, supporting the prosperity and viability of rural economies, Native American tribes, irrigation districts and other customers, who, in turn, serve more than 40 million Americans throughout the West.

“In today’s increasingly complex and connected world, success requires close collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships to preserve the value of WAPA,” said Gabriel in his testimony. “Through transparent and respectful partnerships with our customers and others, we can invest appropriately in a connected energy future and ensure our ability to supply premier power and transmission services at the lowest cost consistent with sound business principles.”

Read Gabriel’s remarks

Oral testimony

Written testimony

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About WAPA: Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 25,000 gigawatt-hours of clean, renewable power from 57 federal hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers and International Boundary and Water Commission in 15 western and central states. It is part of the Department of Energy. Follow us on Twitter @WesternAreaPowr or visit the website at www.wapa.gov.   

Last modified on September 12th, 2023