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Welcome!
This is the Council's Monthly Spotlight
e-newsletter. Each month, you'll receive the latest news from
Council meetings, including recent decisions, news from state offices, and
updates on energy and the environment.
February 2004 Issue
Regional 2004 Power Supply Forecast
John Fazio, senior power systems analyst, updated Council members on
the condition of the region's water supply. He reported that the
current forecast, as of February 19, shows the runoff volume at 92 percent
of normal, and the region's precipitation above The Dalles Dam from
October 2003 through January 2004 was 97 percent of normal. With the
water supply about normal, and the region enjoying about a 1,000 average
megawatt surplus, he concluded that it is unlikely that the region will
experience power shortages over the next year. See
the presentation (650k PDF) and our power
supply outlook update.
Status of 2004 Summer Spill Evaluations and
Libby/Hungry Horse Decisions
Council members received a status report
(250k PDF) from staff on efforts to implement
summer spill evaluations and tests at Libby and Hungry Horse dams.
Fish and Wildlife Director Doug Marker said that a meeting with regional
leaders, the governors' representatives, and federal executives has been
tentatively scheduled for March 29. The meeting will likely include
discussion of Libby and Hungry Horse reservoir operations. The
initial research proposal from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks received a preliminary
positive review from the Independent Scientific Review Panel with a
request for additional information. Discussion of potential offsets
for fish impacts resulting from reductions in summer spill is continuing
and is also on the agenda for the meeting with federal executives.
Council Chair Judi Danielson expressed concern about the importance of
making timely decisions since they can affect the feasibility of
implementing Council recommendations. Also see our press
release on spill.
Presentation on Electricity Price Forecasting
Jeff King, senior resource analyst, gave a presentation
(150k PDF) to Council members on the final draft
wholesale power price forecast. The base case levelized wholesale
spot market power price through 2025 is forecast to be $36.60 per
megawatt-hour (year 2000 dollars) with substantial seasonal
variation. The forecast is described in an issue paper to be
released shortly and will be part of the Council's Fifth
Power Plan, scheduled for release for public comment in late
spring. The forecast provides a benchmark to estimate the value of
resource alternatives like conservation and helps to explain the cost
implications of policy options affecting the composition or operation of
the region's power system. The forecast also provides the base
resource portfolio and market prices for subsequent resource portfolio
risk analysis.
Status Report on Reaching a Long-Term Funding Agreement
for Fish and Wildlife Spending
The views of tribal members and utilities were conveyed to Council members
by Paul Lumley, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission; Mary Verner,
Upper Columbia United Tribes; and Shauna McReynolds, Pacific Northwest
Utilities Conference Committee. Mr. Lumley presented nine guiding
principles that have been endorsed by the 13 tribes of the Columbia River
Basin, and he emphasized the need for stable funding and the importance of
reaching an agreement by June 2004. Ms. Verner echoed Mr. Lumley's
views. Ms. McReynolds expressed her perception that the utility
community is committed to funding the fish and wildlife program, but also
wants to ensure that the program is accountable, with clear goals and
priorities.
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Coming Up
- March 9-11 Council Meeting, Helena, Montana
State News
Oregon
- March 4
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., All Subbasin Planning Meeting, Pendleton,
Oregon, Red Lion
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