Western Governors launched a new era in transmission planning with the release of the report Conceptual Plans for Electricity Transmission in the West. In their Energy Policy Roadmap, the Governors urged the industry, states, provinces to implement a pro-active Western Interconnection transmission planning process. As a result, a collaborative interconnection-wide process has been initiated by the Seam Steering Group-Western Interconnection. In addition, four sub-regional planning efforts are underway (Rocky Mountain Area Transmission Planning Study, Southwest Transmission Expansion Plan, Northwest Transmission Assessment Committee, and Southwest Area Transmission study.

The Governors have encouraged financing transmission expansion with the release of a report on Financing Electricity Transmission Expansion in the West.

Western Governors have also signed a Protocol to cooperate on the review of any new applications to site transmission lines in the region.

Supporting Testimony, Press Releases, Correspondence

WGA Chairman Governor Richardson's letter to the Western Electricity Coordinating Council requesting development of a report on how to implement the electric reliability provisions pending before Congress (10/20/03)

WGA Executive Director Souby's responds to House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Tauzin request for information about the eastern states electricity blackout  (8/25/03)

Sen. Domenici commended by Governors for including in energy legislation adopted today a regional approach to electricity that better "fits the needs of the West." (4/30/03)

WGA letter, testimony, preemption fact sheet, and energy resolutions (3/26/03)

Governors Martz and Richardson letter to Thomas Kuhn, President, Edison Electric Institute (3/20/03)

Governors Kitzhaber & Geringer letter to colleagues on regional energy policy collaboration  (12/3/02)

Letter to Senator Thomas in appreciation of his efforts to protect western interests in electricity reliability legislation (11/22/02)

Letter to Chairmen of Senate and House Energy committees on proposed FERC Standard Market Design rule (10/9/02)

Letter to Chairmen of Senate and House Energy committees signed by thirteen western governors and five southern governors on proposed FERC Standard Market Design rule (9/19/02)

Letter & testimony on proposed FERC Standard Market Design rule -- Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (9/17/02)

Governors Cite Concerns over FERC Proposal for Electricity Grids. (8/22/02)

Governors urge conferees to recognize regional differences in energy production, transportation, and use. (7/24/02)

Governors applaud creation of a Western Electricity Coordinating Council as crucial step in ensuring reliable electricity supplies in the region (4/16/02)

Governors write to President regarding FERC Commissioner vacancy. (4/10/02)

Gov. Hull writes Paul Gigot, Editorial Page Editor, Wall Street Journal, regarding article on Senate amendment to energy bill (3/20/02)

Western governors call Senate amendment to energy bill good news for consumers (3/14/02)

Western governors, organizations urge Senate to adopt bill assuring reliable supplies of electricity (3/13/02)

Governor Hull transmits draft regional siting protocol to the Administration -- same letter sent to DoD Sec. Rumsfeld, DOI Sec. Norton, Ag Sec. Veneman, and CEQ Director Connaughton. (3/13/02)

Governors thank Senator Thomas for help on electricity reliability legislation (3/12/02)

Governors copy House and Senate committees on letter to Administration on electricity legislation (3/6/02)

Governors respond to Administration's views on electricity legislation (3/5/02)

Governors encourage Congress to create stable, market-based incentives for concentrating solar power (2/26/02)

Governors ask House committee leaders for further changes in electricity reliability legislation. (2/6/02)

Governors ask Senate leaders for further changes in electricity reliability legislation. Attachment. (1/29/02)

Governors ask Leaders of House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, for changes in electricity reliability legislation. (12/1101)

WGA Chair Governor Jane Dee Hull and Governor Locke Tell FERC Regional Approach Best Way to Shape West’s Electricity Future (11/02/01)

Governors letter to House Committee on Energy Supply and Transmission Act (10/24/01)

Governors' letter to Vice President Cheney on energy legislation (10/12/01)

Letter to CEQ Director on President's Executive Order 13212. (9/7/01)

Governors Tell DOE States Must Take Lead in Shaping Region's Electricity Future (9/28/01).  Letters also sent to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on same issue (9/6/01) and (9/12/01)

Conceptual Plans for Electricity Transmission in the West (8/9/01)
Appendix: Log of Recommended Transmission Additions

Governors' Recommendations from Energy Summit (2/2/01)

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