Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) studies that show a need for Energize Eastside assume that no local generation plants are operating during an infrequent arctic winter event. This is an unrealistic assumption, because many of those generators were acquired by the company to serve exactly this scenario.
The report by the Independent Technical Analyst studied a scenario where about half the generators were turned on, and it found that the need for Energize Eastside was reduced, but not eliminated. We would like a study that shows what happens when all the generators are turned on. This is the normal way to conduct such a study, so we’re not asking for anything unusual.
PSE’s studies also assume a huge amount of power is being transmitted to Canada. Canada doesn’t need this power, and could be compensated in other ways. Bellevue’s analyst studied what would happen if no electricity was flowing to Canada during these emergencies, and concluded that 80 percent of the system overloads would disappear. We ask ColumbiaGrid to explain why PSE’s customers are exclusively responsible for paying for Canada’s electrical service.
Finally, we remind PSE and ColumbiaGrid that they are required to plan the grid as if it belonged to one utility. There is already an under-utilized 230 kV transmission line through the Eastside. ColumbiaGrid identified it as the best choice to serve Canadian electricity. However, this option was inexplicably taken off the table when PSE said they wanted to build a second 230 kV transmission line, parallel to the first one, about a mile to the east. This is not something a single utility could justify, and therefore it is not allowable under current regulations.
The letter gives PSE until May 22 to respond. If the deadline is not met, or the response is not reasonable, further actions are planned that will become increasingly uncomfortable for PSE.
Steve O’Donnell,
President Coalition of Eastside Neighborhoods for Sensible Energy (CENSE)
Larry G. Johnson,
President, Citizens for Sane Eastside Energy (CSEE)
