The Western Electricity Coordinating Council has received notification from the U.S. Department of Energy that it has been awarded $14.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to conduct interconnection-wide electric transmission planning studies in the Western Interconnection.

The funding allows WECC to significantly expand existing regional transmission planning activities and broaden stakeholder involvement in planning processes. The resulting transmission plans will provide high quality, credible information on transmission infrastructure requirements to decision makers at all levels.

"The DOE funding enables WECC to dramatically enhance regional transmission planning capabilities and increase cooperation in the Western Interconnection," said Louise McCarren, WECC chief executive officer. "WECC expects the resulting plans to facilitate the development of transmission infrastructure needed to maintain electric grid reliability and to increase access to renewable and other low-carbon generation resources throughout the region."

The funding will allow WECC to evaluate long-term regional transmission needs that factor in variables including electric demand, generation resources, energy policies, technology costs, impacts on transmission reliability, and emissions. WECC will seek guidance throughout the project from a broad set of stakeholders including representatives from states and provinces, utilities, agencies, non-governmental organizations, energy developers, and consumer advocates.

WECC expects to begin the project with the formation of a multi-stakeholder Scenario Planning Steering Group and the development of a transmission study work program.