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Agenda

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Support

Support for WGA's Enlibra program is provided by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and by Region IX of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Background Information on Enlibra

Examples of Enlibra in Action

Policy Resolution Outlining Enlibra Principles

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Resource Guide

Environmental Summit
on the West II

Cooperative Siting of Interstate Energy Infrastructure 
Breakout Session I

A protocol to improve the quality and timeliness
of reviews of interstate electric transmission proposals

At their annual meeting in June 2002, Western governors intend to sign an interstate protocol to expand collaboration among state permitting agencies in the review of proposed interstate electric transmission projects. Although no state in the Western Interconnection has ever denied a permit for an interstate transmission project, the governors believe that the increasing regionalization of electricity markets will require a proactive process to ensure closer collaboration among permitting agencies.

In response to the governors' direction, Western states have developed a draft protocol. However, because of the vast ownership of lands in the West by the federal government and tribes, success in improving the review of interstate transmission proposal will require the collaboration of federal agencies and tribes.

This breakout session will review the draft protocol and offer recommendations on:

1. potential improvements in the draft protocol and 
2. how federal agencies and tribes can effectively participate in improved collaboration in the review of interstate transmission proposals, including potentially signing or endorsing the protocol. 

To guide the discussion during the breakout session, participants will be asked to address the following specific questions regarding the draft protocol:

1. Will the overall approach set forth in sections B4 through B7 of the protocol ensure thorough but timely reviews of proposed interstate power lines? If not, what fundamental elements must be modified or added?
2. What specific changes, if any, should be made to the elements in section B5:

   · Designation and makeup of project team 
   · Joint decisions, activities, and records 
   · Consolidated environmental review 
   · Determination of need 
   · Timelines 
   · Information requests 
   · Project-specific agreements
   

3. How do we best coordinate local, state, federal, tribal, and international reviews of proposed power lines? How should the protocol be amended to incorporate agreements between federal agencies, tribes, and other national governments?

Hosts/Moderators: Governor Jim Geringer, Wyoming and Roger Hamilton, Energy Advisor, Office of Governor John Kitzhaber

Presenters/Respondents

Roger Hamilton, Governor Kitzhaber’s Office 

Roger Fragua, Council of Energy Resource Tribes

Ted Zukoski, Land and Water Fund of the Rockies 

Ray Brady, Bureau of Land Management

Jack Craven, U.S. Forest Service 

Randy Karstaedt, U.S. Forest Service 

Background Information
WGA Draft Protocol Among Western States Governing the Siting and Permitting of Interstate Electric Transmission Lines
(http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/energy/protocol.pdf)