Environmental Recommendations for Transmission Planning WECC

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Dear Tribal Leaders –

You may have seen a recent notice that the Environmental Data Task Force (EDTF), established by the Scenario Planning Steering Group (SPSG) in 2010, has completed a major study of environmental and cultural considerations as they affect transmission planning. The EDTF report, entitled “Environmental Recommendations for Transmission Planning,” is posted on the EDTF web site so that SPSG members and other stakeholders can review it prior to the SPSG’s May 23, 2010 meeting in Salt Lake City.

You are receiving this message because of your leadership in one or more of the Native American nations in the Western Interconnection and because of your recent involvement with WECC’s transmission planning activities. In preparing this report, the EDTF has worked very hard to recognize and respect concerns and issues identified by tribes in the Western Interconnection. We would appreciate very much your review of and comments on this report to ensure that we are respecting the tribes’ interests as we recommend ways to recognize environmental considerations in transmission planning.

The report is rather long. If your time is limited, we suggest that you focus on:

• The Overview (the first four pages of the report);
• “Recommendations for Incorporation of Environmental and Cultural Data into the Transmission Planning Process” (pages 4-15); and
• Table D-2 “Classification of Area Types According to Risk of Environmental or Cultural Resource Sensitivities or Constraints” (pages D-19 to D-32).

Please feel free to forward this message and request to any other tribal representatives who may be interested in reviewing and commenting on the EDTF report. If you have questions or comments about the report, please feel free to contact me or EDTF Chair Pam Eaton.

Thank you for your help on this important project.

Best Regards,

Byron B. Woertz, Jr., MBA, PMP
Senior Project Manager
Western Electricity Coordinating Council
(801) 883-6841 (Office)
(801) 821-0960 (Mobile)