Power rates (in PNW)likely to rise: Low snowpacks mean less water for power-generating dams.

The Bellingham Herald ^ | Jan 24, 2003 | Associated Press

[Robert357]

Electricity rates are likely to go up this fall, thanks to meager snowpacks in the Cascades and throughout the Columbia River basin.

The lack of snow translates into low stream flows for power-generating dams.

"The longer this dry winter continues, the prospects are very high that we will request a process to put a rate increase into effect," Bonneville Power Administration spokesman Bill Murlin said Wednesday. "That's not to say we will do it; it just says the chances are pretty good."

[Robert357]

OK, so the bottom line is that PNW hydro will be at a below normal supply this summer and late fall. Due to the economic law of supply and demand, the price of PNW electricity will, therefore, go up. That should be pretty easy to understand.

Now, what is the supply and demand for electricity going to be in California? California has had an above average snowpack for its hydro projects. Of course the amount of electricity that Sierra projects can generate is a lot less than many PNW projects like Grand Coulee Dam.

Will California have enough electricity at costs it can afford for this summer?

[Dog Gone]

If it doesn't, it will demand yours, anyway. Oh, and they'll call you a gouger when you give it to them.

[Robert357]

Thought you might want to keep track of the costs in the PNW as that could make for some interesting costs down in California, which last time I saw, required about 20% of its electricity from PNW hydro.

Also the spot market price of both natural gas and electricity has skyrocketed. It will be interesting to see what that does to longer term electricity costs for this summer.

[Robert357]

You are really quick!

Also you are a student of history and understand California politics.

Speaking of which, I wonder if in the deliberations over the California Budget, they will look at if high power rates require extra expenditure authorizations for DWR and other state agencies? Could make for some interesting budget debats......no, you are right, they would just consider that price gouging and tell the agencies to fill litigation.....

[goodnesswins]

OR....Canada says NO to WAR FOR SNOW....or...Canada says SNOW for WAR.....ROFL.....YOU are too funny.

[chimera]

So I wonder if the idiots in Oregon are now sorry they trashed the perfectly functional and safe Trojan Nuclear Plant? One of the reasons the wackos gave for bulldozing it was that the Northwest would "always" have cheap, clean, and abundant hydropower.

Wha hoppen, wackos? Will you say you were wrong? No, I didn't think so. Arrogant idiots never admit to being wrong about anything.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Say No To War On Canada! No War For Snow!

What?

LOL!

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[Robert357]

...perfectly functional and safe Trojan Nuclear Plant

My recollection is that you are correct in that it was an economic and political question. However, what I remember was that there were water quality problems at the plant that caused the steam generators to fail. That is no big deal and not a safety thing if properly handled. It is a major economic replacement issue. My recollection was that the owning utility (PGE) strated negotiations with the Utility Commission and ended up agreeing to shut the plant down if it could get certain rate treatment for certain utility costs/investments.

Oregon politics were always a bit on the "green" side of thoughtful and while it was a huge waste of money, the plant had some major repair work ahead of it.

[Lael]

Will California have enough electricity at costs it can afford for this summer?

NO!

[uncbob]

Everey time I turn on the weather channel they are showing snow in the Cascades

[chimera]

Technically SG changeout isn't an impossible task. It does have a cost but other utilities have done it in a cost-effective manner.

My recollection is that the wackos made a big deal out of the supposedly abundant and cheap hydropower that was available from Bonneville and the like, and that Trojan "wasn't needed". Well, imagine that, with the snowpack down and all (another example of depending too much on an inherently variable natural energy source) maybe it was needed, after all...?

[expatpat]

I may be wrong but I thnk the spot-price increase actually helps California. They signed a lot of contracts for power at high prices, and have had to sell the power off at lower prices since demand went down.

[Robert357]

snow in the Cascades

Snow in the Cascades is nice, but it doesn't amount to much electricity. It is important for drinking water in Seattle though.

Snow that falls in the upper reaches of the Canadian Rockies, will go through a number of major Canadian hydroprojects, Grand Coulee Dam, Chief Joe, the Mid Columbia PUD hydro projects, John Day, the Dales, Bonneville & North Bonneville dams. An acre-foot (a unit of volume) of water falling in the Cascades means very little in terms of electricity when compared to an acre-foot of snow in the upper western slopes of the Canadian Rockies.

[Robert357]

Changing out Steam Generators is expensive, but not beyond what can be accomplished. And yes, Trojan electricity could have really helped out in the power crisis of 2000/2001. It would also help out this year a lot, but politicians negotiated a "deal" with Portland General Electric (PGE).

[Robert357]

sell the power off at lower prices since demand went down.

Actually, that is a very good point. I remember reading the generally California relies on power from the PNW for about 20% of its electricity. I don't know how much of that is in long term contracts at fixed rates. My understanding was that little if any was longer term fixed rate.

I doubt that California has a seasonal or daily surplus approaching 20%, so while higher spot market prices might help reduce the cost of the "net short/long" on the long term high cost power contracts, I suspect that would be a minor factor compared to general power imports from the PNW.

[chimera]

And yes, Trojan electricity could have really helped out in the power crisis of 2000/2001.

So would have Rancho Seco's, but the wackos trashed that one, too, and with it, the careers and jobs of many good people. Sure, it had problems, but nothing beyond the capability of a good team of engineers to fix. The wackos and Rat pols chose instead to bulldoze the place and put up solar panels which don't do sh*t except take up space and suck down $$$.

It would also help out this year a lot, but politicians negotiated a "deal" with Portland General Electric (PGE).

And when the lights go out I hope the idiot sheeple remember who is responsible for the no-power condition, and hold them accountable. But, this is Oregon, Kalifornicator, and Brainwashington, and I have a feeling the idiot sheeple won't, and the wackos and media will find a way to blame it on Bush.

[bert]

Curiously, yesterday the Tennessee Valley Authority also announced an increase of 8.5 percent in residential rates to take effect in I believe October. It was said to be the first increase since 1988.

In the electric bill threads of last year, TVA rates were lowest in the country. Also, yesterday TVA experienced all time peak demand for the second day in a row. This was the first Winter peak in several years. Previously, peak was in the summer.

Looks like there is a conspiracy among the Fed power guys to buy new office carpets.