Washington's congressional delegation is questioning a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's ruling in favor of Northwest wind power generator operators.
Eighteen bipartisan Northwest senators and representatives sent a letter Tuesday to Energy Secretary Steven Chu as the region is weeks away from the spring snowmelt season.
At issue is FERC's December ruling that the Bonneville Power Administration discriminated against wind power generators when it limited the output from power generators other than hydroelectric power generators last year during high seasonal water flows.
"We are concerned that FERC may have overstepped its authority in its order," the letter said. The Northwest has a long history of resolving difficult challenges without FERC involvement, it said.
FERC should promptly schedule a re-hearing, which would allow clarification on the order and a full airing of issues raised in the order, it said.
Among those signing the letter were Washington Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.
Others signing the letter included Jay Inslee, D-Wash., who is running for governor; Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.; Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash.; Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, and Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon.
In May, with unusually high water flows projected, BPA announced it would first limit generation at coal, natural gas and other thermal power plants to keep the supply of power from exceeding demand.
As a last resort, it would temporarily limit wind power generation connected to its power transmission system, it said.
The move was intended to preserve reliability, avoid increased costs to Northwest ratepayers and protect young salmon and steelhead that can be harmed by dissolved gases in the water if too much water is released through dam spillways, according to BPA. Now with the spring snowmelt approaching, BPA must again adopt a re-dispatch policy for excess power, the letter to Chu said.
The agency has been working for several months on settlement discussions with involved parties, and talks should be given every chance to succeed before any further regulatory or judicial decisions are made, the letter said.
As BPA continues to integrate renewable energies into the electric grid, it also must remain a low-cost provider of federal power, protect endangered species and operate the transmission system in a reliable, cost-effective and nondiscriminatory manner, the letter said.
"While we may have different views about the specific path forward, we fundamentally agree that the resolution of this dispute can and should come from the Northwest," the letter said.
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Wind power subsidies divide Congress
Wind power subsidies divide Congress
WASHINGTON -- Washington sometimes has too much of a good thing: power.
In a state that relies heavily on water and wind for its electricity, Mother Nature can be too generous. That creates headaches for energy producers.
Wind producers are irked that the Bonneville Power Administration, a federal agency, can cut off wind generation when there is a surge in river flows, resulting in too much hydropower. The agency took that step several times during a two-month period earlier this year.
Stable contracts for wind power help ratepayers
Stable contracts for wind power help ratepayers
While we appreciate attention toward the issue of energy supply, the Herald's editorial on Dec. 12, "Paying wind farms for zip FERC's idea of level playing field," leaves out some key points.
Taxpayers deserve the full story about all energy sources and the policies that shape how they are used. It is important to understand how all aspects of our energy mix shape our economies, communities, environment and future.
Despite the Herald editorial board's criticism, many Washington citizens have joined diverse businesses, utilities, salmon advocates and clean energy groups applauding FERC's ruling on the Bonneville Power Administration's "environmental redispatch" policy.
Paying wind farms for zip FERC's idea of level field
Paying wind farms for zip FERC's idea of level field
Even as the state and the nation cut back on food for the hungry, education for the poor and care for veterans, there is one industry so close to the politicians' hearts that it may never have to suffer at all.
Wind power.
Leading government personalities accept as "green" energy something that blights our landscape and is economically unfeasible without taking money from people who could actually use it.
Wind advocates misguided
Wind advocates misguided
As general manager of the Franklin PUD, I'd like to state that the Dec. 18 In Focus column, criticizing an earlier Herald editorial and suggesting wind power helps ratepayers, screams for a strong dose of reality.
-- FERC's recent ruling on BPA's "environmental redispatch" policy is misguided, politically driven, overstepping by federal bureaucrats with no basis in law or authority.
-- Wind power doesn't pay its own way. Costs for wind power and to integrate it are significant drivers of higher rates. It's time to stop government "incentives" for building more intermittent resources.
Benton PUD plans rate increase in 2012
Benton PUD plans rate increase in 2012
The Benton PUD is proposing raising rates an average of 6 percent starting Jan. 1.
However, rate increases in 2013 through 2015 should average less than expected a year ago at 1 percent to 3 percent a year, according to information presented at a lightly attended Benton PUD meeting in Kennewick on Tuesday evening.
The rate increase for residential customers in 2012 would be slightly lower than the average for all customers at 5.4 percent. That would increase the average bill of a residential customer from about $101 a month to about $106 a month.
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