Pacific Northwest Storms Situation Report # 2

Program Document · Sat Dec 16 04:00:00 EST 2006

OSTI ID:1131737

Severe wind and snow storms hit the Pacific Northwest region on December 14 – 15, 2006 resulting in major power outagesin the region. The storm is now moving off into southern Canada. A new weather disturbance nearing the Northwest coast may generate a few rain and snow showers across the Seattle and Portland areas today, but widespread active weather is not expected. There are roughly 950,000 customers in the region (including Canada) without power as a result of the Pacific Northweststorms, down from a peak of 1.8 million customers. This represents about 26 percent of customers in affected utility service areas in Oregon and Washington. See table below. As of 12:30 PM EST, the Renton Control Center for the Olympic Pipeline (petroleum products) had power restored. The pipeline, serviced by Puget Sound Energy, was shut down after it lost power during the storm. According to a pipeline official, the pipeline is expected to restart in approximately 2-3 hours with some reduced throughput later today. SeaTac International Airport receives jet fuel from the pipeline; however, it’s been reported that the airport has approximately eight days of jet fuel inventories on hand. There are no reports of problems regarding fuel production. There are some temporary and minor distribution at retail gas stations due to lack of power. Fuel delivery is also slowed in some areas due to delays on some roads. ESF #12 has not been deployed

• Research Organization: USDOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE)
• OSTI ID: 1131737
• Report Number(s): DOE/OE-2006-Pacific-Northwest-Storms-Situation-Report-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Snow
winter
power
Olympic Pipeline
situation report
electric outages
ESF 12
2006
restoration efforts