4 governors aim to expand power grid

The governors of four Western states, including Utah, said Monday they will set the stage for a more reliable power grid by pushing for the development of new transmission lines from the coal fields of Wyoming to Southern California.

The governors will act as "surrogate developers" in an effort to unlock the Rocky Mountain’s energy resources by coaxing investor-owned utilities, independent operators or industry groups to produce and wheel more power around the West, California Deputy Energy Secretary Joseph Desmond said.

Desmond said the new high-voltage lines could attract wind-power farms along a route that is expected to originate in northeastern Wyoming, travel through Idaho and branch in Nevada for southern and northern California. Much of the infrastructure could cross federal land or follow existing transmission routes, he said.

In a memorandum of agreement, California Gov. Arnold Schwarze- negger, Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal established a compact that will speed government and regulatory approvals for new transmission lines and power plants, said Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, a key player in the effort.

By Paul Foy
Associated Press

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