The Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC) has completed a year-long collaborative effort to examine the regional transmission impacts of its planned TANC Transmission Project (TTP). The final analysis of the Sub-Regional Planning Group (SRPG) concluded that the addition of the TTP would benefit the reliability of the northern California transmission grid and could allow for the integration of at least 1,600 MW of new renewable generation.
The results of the study are documented in the TANC Transmission Program WECC Regional Planning Report. The TTP represents roughly 600 miles of new and upgraded high-voltage transmission facilities. The SRPG was formed for this effort and included approximately 40 participants representing neighboring utilities, generation developers and government agencies throughout the western U.S. The SRPG effort adhered to the regional planning requirements of the Western Electricity Coordination Council and the Order 890 requirements of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
‘We are pleased to see that the Sub-Regional Planning Group confirms the significant benefits that the TTP will have for the state of California,’ says TANC Chairman Allen Short. ‘As a result of completing the Sub-Regional Planning Group's efforts, TANC now moves forward with planning and routing the TTP with the confidence that the infrastructure enhances the reliability and power delivery capability of the Northern California transmission grid.’
The completion of this effort represents a milestone for the TTP and transitions TANC into the start of the environmental analysis and permitting process. During the environmental process, TANC will be working closely with the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). TANC will be the lead for California Environmental Quality Act efforts, and WAPA will lead the National Environmental Protection Act efforts.
SOURCE: Transmission Agency of Northern California
