Govs. Freudenthal, Ritter headline conference: Increasing renewable energy's access to grid (9/27/07)

Govs. Freudenthal, Ritter headline conference:
Increasing renewable energy's access to grid

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2007

Contact: Doug Larson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 303-623-9378 ext. 201

FORT COLLINS, COLO. -- Govs. Dave Freudenthal (Wyo.) and Bill Ritter (Colo.) headlined a regional summit today aimed at increasing access to the Western electric grid for wind, geothermal and other renewable energy resources.

The two-day summit is co-sponsored by the Western Governors' Association, the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative and the Geothermal Energy Association.

"Progress in expanding the transmission grid has been excruciatingly slow," said Freudenthal, WGA's Chairman. "If we do not pick up the pace and expand the grid, we will miss a golden opportunity to gather and deliver abundant renewable resources that are currently constrained by their location."

Govs. Freudenthal and Ritter moderated a panel focused on public policies and business strategies that will enhance energy and climate security. They were joined by Jon Wellinghoff, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Pat Vincent, Utilities President, Public Service Company of New Mexico; Paul Bonavia, President, Utilities Group, Xcel Energy; and Marsha Smith, Commissioner, Idaho Public Utilities Commission.

Ritter said Colorado's "new energy economy" is a centerpiece of his administration's agenda. He noted that the state has attracted new industries, from home-grown solar firms to the international wind turbine blade manufacturer, Vestas.

"The broader the reach of our collective renewable resources, the more stable the system will be that relies on those resources," Ritter said. "By integrating renewables across the West, we minimize the necessary 'firming' we have traditionally associated with renewable development. This saves the utilities and our consumers money, and increases reliability of the grid."

Some renewables, such as wind, that are available intermittently must rely on other resources to "firm" or ensure consistent power generation to meet demand.

Participants' recommendations will be consolidated by the conference organizers for use by policymakers, regulators, industry and others working to advance renewable energy resources.

The renewables conference is part of WGA's Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative. For more information on the CDEi, visit the WGA Web site at www.westgov.org. 

The Western Governors' Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 19 states and three U.S.-Flag islands in the Pacific. Through their Association, the Western governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management.

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