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<br /> <br />Section 2 <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />criteria for emergency situations and system regulation and/or continuation of targeted <br />flows at downstream locations (i.e, the stream gage at Jensen, Utah). <br /> <br />2.2.8.3 ASPINALL UNIT <br /> <br />Interest in changing operations to mimic pre-dam flow~ below Aspinall is based primarily <br />on improved habitat for endangered fish species along with recreational considerations at <br />the Black Canyon of the. Gunnison National Mon\unent. The USFWS favors an <br />operational scheme that would allow native fish to be able to migrate and spawn in the <br />Gunnison River upstream from its confluence with the Colorado River. Similar to Flaming <br />Gorge, future operational constraints could contain provisions for continuation of exception <br />criteria for emergency situations and system regulatiPn and/or continuation of targeted <br />flows at downstream locations (i.e, below the Gunnison: Tunnel). <br />! <br /> <br />2.3 WESTERN POWER PURCHASES; <br /> <br />2.3.1 CURRENT PURCHASING PRACTICES <br /> <br />The Replacement Resources Process is interrelated ~th, and dependent on, Western's <br />power purchasing authorities and practices. Pursuant td Reclamation Law, Western has the <br />authority to purchase power reasonably incidental to the integration of Federal <br />hydroelectric power generated at Reclamation projects.! When establishing long-term finn <br />capacity and energy commitment levels, Western considers many relevant factors, such as <br />hydroelectric generator capability, transmission limitations, annual rainfall quantities and <br />reservoir levels. <br /> <br />Because of the non-interruptible nature of its long-term finn capacity and energy <br />commitments, Western must acquire power from other$ .when its hydroelectric generating <br />resources are unable to supply contractually guaranteed quantities of finn capacity and/or <br />energy. When Reclamation's monthly water release Plltterns are not sufficient to provide <br />the capacity and energy needed for Western to meet its finn sales commitments, Western <br />acquires short-term spot market power to meet its conti-actual obligations. With Western's <br />extensive transmission network across several western states, purchases or exchanges can <br />be made with a large number of utilities and generating resources. <br /> <br />Western acquires power on the spot market on a shortiterm basis not only in response to <br />shortfalls in hydroelectric generation, but for various other reasons, including the relief of <br />operational constraints (such as transmission limitatiQns) and variations in the cost of <br />power. This is consistent with the standard operating practices of electric utilities. <br />Purchases and exchanges also allow Western to diversify its generation risk, capitalize on <br />short-term market differentials in supply and demand, ~d maximize the value of SLCNIP <br />resources. The overall effect of these purchases and: exchanges is to provide Western <br />flexibility to respond to customer needs during varying ~ydroelectric operating scenarios. <br /> <br />2-10 Western Area Power Administration <br /> <br />March 1998 <br />