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Board Endorses Biennial Plan
Published: April 23, 2009:Author: ColumbiaGrid Staff
ColumbiaGrid wrapped up its 2009 Biennial Transmission Expansion Plan earlier this year, with board approval and adoption. The 10-year plan, a first for ColumbiaGrid, addresses two major transmission projects and highlights areas on the grid that will require upgrades in the future. Staff wasted no time getting an update under way; a draft of the first step in the update process, the 2009 System Assessment, is due out by the end of June.
The 2009 Biennial Transmission Expansion Plan completes a two-year effort by ColumbiaGrid to conduct an independent evaluation of grid adequacy and find solutions where problems are identified. The two projects approved in the biennial plan include new lines west of McNary Dam and an upgrade in the north end of downtown Seattle.
In approving the biennial plan, the ColumbiaGrid board determined the two projects would resolve the deficiencies identified without creating unmitigated problems for neighboring facilities. Board approval also assures that the project review process meets regulatory requirements for openness and transparency. Both projects are now moving forward.
“It’s apparent after this first plan that our members are interested in having ColumbiaGrid look beyond basic reliability,” according to Jeff Miller, ColumbiaGrid VP and manager of planning. “There are issues like integrating major projects and wind generation they want us to explore,” he said. “And the next plan will go further in that direction,” Miller added.
