Electric Co-op Today

Co-ops and consumer-owned utilities are praising the Bonneville Power Administration’s decision to limit wind and non-hydropower generation when the Northwest grid is loaded with hydroelectricity from periods of high water.

High runoff along the Columbia River in the Northwest means officials must balance hydro and wind generation. (Photo By: Bonneville Power Administration)

“Tough circumstances call for tough decisions,” said Scott Corwin, executive director of the Portland, Ore.-based Public Power Council. “Out of necessity, BPA has made the right decision to cut back on all non-hydropower generation during times of too much water and wind.”

BPA’s policy, known as an environmental redispatch, got its first test May 18, when the power marketer limited generation from coal and natural gas facilities, and about 250 to 300 megawatts of wind, for 5 hours.

Officials said they took the action to balance supply and demand on the grid, and protect the $800 million annually, which represents about one –third of the agency’s wholesale power costs, that it spends on fish and wildlife.

Placing curbs on hydro generation could increase levels of dissolved gas at several dams and threaten protected salmon and steelhead, BPA said.

“It is disappointing that these natural occurrences―high wind, high water―have combined in such a way that BPA must resort to curtailing valuable generating resources such as wind,” said John Prescott, president and CEO of PNCG Power in Portland, Ore.

“However, we are pleased that BPA is respecting their obligations to their preference customers and protecting endangered salmon. This is a short- term solution for a larger problem. It is our hope that stakeholders will continue to find a way to work together to reach more satisfying solutions for all,” he said.

Under the policy, which will be in place until March 30, 2012, BPA will first limit generation at coal and natural gas facilities. If that fails to balance supply with demand, BPA will cut back on the region’s fast-growing wind industry.

However, wind interests are furious at the decision because they depend on designated levels of production to defray their expenses through production tax credits and renewable energy certificates.

Tags: Bonneville Power Administration, Energy and Environment, Hydroelectric Power, Salmon, Wind Energy