If Bonneville doesn't change its position, the utilities could decide not to use power from the Fredrickson plant to serve their needs and sell it freely, which Bonneville would allow. They then could use proceeds from market sales to pay for market purchases when they need extra juice. It's just way more complex. If the utilities agree to the Fredrickson deal, they'll effectively be signaling their intent to stay with Bonneville's slice of the system contract offering. Though all three already have bought long-term contracts off the market to serve a sliver of their needs before, they've never had to do as much dealing as they will beginning in October.
Managers say they're ready.