transmissionanddistributionworkgroup.docVIP

Transmission and Distribution Work Group Report to the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council December 30, 2008 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2 1.1 Objectives 2 1.2 Approach 2 1.3 Work Group Recommendations 2 2.0 Electric Transmission and Distribution 3 2.1 Electric Supply 3 2.2 Electric Transmission and Distribution 6 2.3 Electric Load Growth and System Capacity 8 3.0 Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution 9 3.1 Natural Gas Supply 9 3.2 Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution 10 3.3 Natural Gas Load Growth and System Capacity 12 4.0 Recommendations 13 4.1 Recommendation 1 13 4.1.1 Background 13 4.1.2 Discussion 14 4.2 Recommendation 2 14 4.2.1 Background 14 4.2.2 Discussion 15 4.3 Recommendation 3 15 4.3.1 Background 15 4.4 Recommendation 4 18 4.4.1 Background 18 4.5 Recommendation 5 21 4.5.1 Background 21 4.5.2 Discussion 23 4.6 Recommendation 6 23 4.6.1 Background 23 4.6.2 Non-Consensus Issues 25 4.7 Recommendation 7 25 4.7.1 Background 26 Appendix A – Work Group Participants 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Objectives The 2008 Transmission and Distribution Work Group, chaired by Public Service Commissioner Dallas Winslow, was formed to examine the following specific objectives: 1. Assure the electricity transmission and distribution system has capacity to serve all areas of the State into the future and that any issues standing in the way of this objective are resolved. 2. Assure the natural gas transmission and distribution is capable of meeting the demands into the future and that any issues standing in the way of this objective are resolved. Look for opportunities to expand the areas of the state where natural gas is available for residential, commercial and industrial use. The Work Group was comprised of members representing public and private interests. A complete list of participants is included in Appendix A of this report. 1.2 Approach The Work Group started with presentations on the many aspects and organizations involved in the transmission an