Hermiston Generating Project: Administrator's record of decision on PacificCorp request for transmission service

摘要

The Hermiston Generating Project is a proposed gas-fired cogeneration power plant near Hermiston, Oregon. The plant would supply steam to the Lamb-Weston potato processing facility on an adjacent site, and electricity generated at the plant would be sold to PacifiCorp. The plant would add 464 megawatts of capacity to the Northwest power grid, annually generating approximately 3.86 million megawatthours of electricity. In order to respond to PacifiCorp's request for transmission, BPA conducted an analysis of existing system facilities, which showed that with some upgrades, the system is capable of accommodating the additional transmission. The Final EIS documented PacifiCorp's need for intra-regional transmission service, and BPA's responsibility to provide that service in accordance with the requirements of the Transmission System Act, and the EPA '92. The Final EIS found there to be environmental impacts from the construction and operation of the plant. The Hermiston Generating Project includes features designed to reduce the environmental impacts. No evidence emerged to suggest that the project is controversial. This Record of Decision documents BPA's decision to proceed with a transmission contract with PacifiCorp in order to provide transmission services for the power generated by the Hermiston Generating Project. This contract will maximize power system efficiencies and coordination between PacifiCorp and BPA, and assist BPA in achieving positive net revenues by generating approximately $5,067,000 annually.