We believe this issue paper marks the beginning of a regional dialogue on Bonneville's approach to acquire conservation during the upcoming rate period. Given that, our comments that follow are a snapshot of our current assessment of the situation. We will likely refine our comments as analyses of conservation potential, costs, benefits, and implementation logistics evolve. Our overwhelming response is that we are delighted that both Bonneville and the Council recognize Bonneville's obligation to acquire conservation, not just generation, at this time of limited power supply.
Conservation offers one of the few short-term options available to meet regional supply needs.
We commend both organizations for accepting the challenge to meet the federal stewardship requirements of the Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act and to analyze the best approaches for reducing power needs through conservation measures. We are also pleased that the Council has acknowledged that conservation benefits flow to the transmission system from successfully reducing energy consumption. We believe that the Council has underestimated the available cost-effective conservation in the region and the share that is Bonneville's responsibility. We recommend four specific modifications and encourage the Council to engage in a more rigorous and defensible analysis of the energy savings available to Bonneville. Increase regional industrial target The Council's draft issue paper directs BPA to capture 150 aMW of conservation over the five-year rate period.