skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Puget Sound Area Electric Reliability Plan : Environmental Impact Statement Implementation Plan.

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5947941

There is a need for additional capacity to serve growing power demand in the Puget Sound area. A 2-step decisionmaking strategy was adopted to address this. The first step would be a long-range plan to meet the underlying need. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) titled, Puget Sound Area Electric Reliability Plan EIS'' would evaluate the trade-offs associated with alternative ways to meet the need for more power. The objective of the EIS is to use early and extensive public involvement to define potential solutions, evaluate the widest possible range of solutions, and recommend a long-range plan focused on the need for peak power. Such a plan is expected to provide the best overall assurance that the need would be met in a timely, cost-effective, and environmentally responsive manner. Participating utilities will take part in the decisionmaking process, will comment on the alternative strategies, and will have a chance to recommend their preferred plan. It would be procedurally appropriate for an agreement to be made between BPA and participating utilities regarding the preferred plan at the time BPA signs a Record of Decision. The second step of the 2-step decisionmaking strategy is to tier action-specific proposals to the long-range plan. The nature of the proposed actions will determine whether follow-up EIS's or other environmental documents are appropriate. The second step is activated when a utility proposes a site-specific action. The utility, possibly with BPA's participation, would then prepare any environmental documents following their normal practices. The Puget Sound Area Electric Reliability Plan EIS would serve as a reference. Follow-up site specific EIS's or other documents would be prepared to meet the requirements of both the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to avoid duplication of effort. 2 figs.

Research Organization:
USDOE Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, OR (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI ID:
5947941
Report Number(s):
DOE/BP-91009698; ON: DE91009698
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English