New transmission lines are needed to serve Wyoming and the nation’s growing electricity demand and foster development of the state’s electric power-generating natural resources (e.g., wind, natural gas). The excellent wind resources in Wyoming will remain largely unutilized until new transmission is built.
NO CAPACITY: Wyoming’s transmission system is relatively weak and has little or no excess export capacity leaving Wyoming’s wind resources isolated from energy markets in the West.
CAPITAL INVESTMENT: Electric transmission and generation projects require significant capital investment. Prior to committing large amounts of capital both the wind developer and the transmission developer need to have made commercial arrangements to ensure revenue. Because generation and transmission rely on one another for commercial arrangements, a chicken and egg problem exists which may impede either from being developed.
TIMING: New transmission is currently the long lead impediment to significant new wind development in the state. Transmission permitting requirements must be reasonably applied to avoid costly delays. WPPC opposes new regulations that will delay or add uncertainly to new transmission.
If Wyoming is to reap the economic benefits of wind or other generation development then it must find a way to ensure that new transmission is constructed.