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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 51 TRANSMISSION InformatiDn regarding the existing interconnected bulk power transmission system and the significant transmission facilities planned through the next ten years is compiled annually by the Council and provides the basis for this section. The Member Systems' planned transmission facilities are designed in accordance with the "WSCC Reliability Criteria for System Design" which recommends that each Member System provide sufficient transmissiDn capacity to serve its load, to accommodate planned interarea pDwer transfers, and tD meet its transmission Dbligation to others. As of January 1, 1983, the WSCC interconnected bulk pDwer system was comprised of 95,502 circuit miles of transmission. Net additions during 1982 (1,949 circuit miles) include 239 miles Df 500 kV, 667 miles of 345 kV, 468 miles of 230 kV, and 575 miles of 115-161 kV transmission. Figure 12 and Table 40 categorize existing transmission for the total WSCC re9ion by voltage class, and indicate that approximately 58 percent of the existing transmissiDn as tabulated in Table 40 is operated at a voltage class of 230 kV Dr above. Figure 13 and Table 41 present infDrmation regarding the significant transmission additions planned fDr the 1983-1992 periDd. The planned transmission additions are categorized by voltage class and the cDrrespDnding circuit miles are summarized for each Df the four WSCC areas. Transmission additions which are considered significant include interconnections to the system from major generation sources, interconnections between control areas, and transmission lines which are significant to interconnected system operation. The total net transmission circuit miles (14,305) planned for the 1983-1992 period represent a 15 percent increase Dver the existing circuit miles as of January 1, 1983. ApprDximately 71 percent of the planned significant transmissiDn circuit mile net additiDns are of the 345 kV voltage class or higher. The total net transmission circuit miles planned for the 1983-1992 period represent a 19.2 percent decrease compared with the planned circuit miles reported last year for the 1982-1991 period. This reductiDn is due largely to deferments Dr cancellatiDns of major generation projects because of reduced load growth or financial cDnsiderations. Problems being encDuntered in Western ColDrado in receiving necessary approvals have caused delays in the constructiDn of new transmissiDn in the Rocky Mountain Power Area. As a result, loads in SDuthwestern Colorado will continue to stress existing transmission facilities, reliability will cDntinue to decrease as loads grDw, and future connections of large industrial lDads could be delayed. In addition, generation curtailments will be required under some system cDnditions requiring the use of more expensive alternate reSDurces, and separation of Colorado frDm New Mexico will cDntinue for certain major system disturbances, possibly resulting in loss Df lDad and generation in the ColDrado-Wyoming areas.