In the News: BPA administrator discusses pressing regional challenges at Pacific Northwest Energy Summit

On July 15, Bonneville Power Administration's John Hairston spoke at the Pacific Northwest Energy Summit in Seattle. The summit, hosted by Washington Senator Maria Cantwell and Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, discussed pressing regional challenges related to increased electricity demand projections.

The Pacific Northwest's regional load is expected to increase by 30% by 2034 according to the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee's 10-year forecast. “I've got to tell you, that's a scary number for us," BPA Administrator and CEO Hairston said.

To meet increased demand, Wyden said upgrading existing power lines and implementing additional improvements through Federal tax credits are the fastest way to expand transmission.

With a $2 billion suite of transmission system upgrades and a reformation of its interconnection queue process, BPA is already at work increasing grid capacity. “Bonneville is committed to supporting the innovative long-term transmission planning that will be enabled by the Western Power Pool effort," said Hairston. “We look forward to the continuing development and beginning to recognize the benefits that this effort will provide not just to BPA but the West as a whole."

Read more about how BPA is continuing its work to expand grid capacity in the Pacific Northwest in the NewsData article: Wyden, Cantwell say Federal Tax Credits Key to Transmission Expansion71.