WSP02995

• File Number: 8056
• Description: Drought Preparedness
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 3/31/1977
• Author: FPC-FEA
• Title: Impacts of the Western Drought on Regional Electricity Generation
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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INTRODUCTION

,.

This report examines the projected electrical demand
and power supply situation in the West generally, and
in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California
'particularly, for the summer of 1977. Drought conditions

have decreased the ability of some hydroelectric plants
to produce electric energy in the amount necessary for
utilities to to maintain uninterrupted supply to all

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consumers. The magnitude of the problems expected to

arise and what may be done to ameliorate the d~fficulties

The Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California power
;

are indicated.

boundaries of the Western Systems Coordinating Council--

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supply syste~s are part of the interconnected network

of power pla~ts and transmission facilities within the

(WSCC). WSCC is a voluntary association of electri6
utilities th~t serve all or part of 14 states (Oregon,
Washington, ~alifornia, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming,

Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nebraska, Texas,

South Dakota) which comprise the western part of the

United State.. WSCC also extends ~nto Canada, since

two Canadian ,systems (B.C. Hydro Authority and West

Kootenay Power & Light Company) are members. To set the

problem in p~oper context, Table 1 shows the summer.peak

demands and available resources for the U.S. portion of

WSCC as projected in April 1976.

1/ See map, 'Figure 1 following.

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