Karen McCall lives in Ketchum.
By KAREN McCALL
As the Wood River Valley pursues a commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and energy consumption while maintaining scenic beauty and environmental quality so essential to Idaho's economy, it is our responsibility that decisions concerning energy use and infrastructure are compatible with those efforts. In respect to the 138,000-volt transmission line Idaho Power proposes, it is imperative that government officials and valley residents understand the scope, need and available alternatives. This is a complex issue.
The Wood River Electrical Plan completed in 2007 calls the proposed line a "redundant" line, meaning that it is a backup for the existing line, which runs north and east out of Hailey, crossing Ohio Gulch Road and East Fork Road, into Elkhorn and Sun Valley to the Ketchum substation. The concern is for reliable power when the lines are faced with threats of fire and avalanche. However, in respect to fire, there is not enough physical separation between the existing and proposed lines to assure the success of redundancy, as witnessed by the flight of embers in the Castle Rock Fire. In respect to avalanche, in the 40-year life of the existing line, there has not been a power outage resulting from an avalanche. If Idaho Power's first concern is natural disaster, then it would make sense to bury the existing line.
If capacity is the concern, there is existing, state-of-the-art technology to enhance the existing 138,000-volt line. Average peak demand is significantly lower than the 99.5-megawatt peak demand and there are numerous alternatives to reduce peak demand, which is about 20 megawatts lower than capacity. Those include: Idaho Power's application for the Department of Energy's Smart Grid Investment Grant, supported by the city of Ketchum; advanced metering infrastructure; demand-side management; energy conservation; and local renewable energy generating facilities.
These alternatives would also address the concerns of the Wood River Valley North as well as Idaho Power shareholders, who recently voted to reduce greenhouse gases and increase renewable energy production. They would also address the recommendations of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, which envisions meeting 85 percent of new electrical demand over the next 20 years with increased energy efficiency. Throughout the Wood River Electrical Plan, it is stated that there are alternatives that could displace the need for new utility infrastructure.
Taking into consideration the above-stated summary of concerns, energy efficiency applications and technological advances, the nonprofit Dynamic Energy Systems Institute of Sun Valley recommends that Idaho Power provide the following:
· A study showing the probability for fire and avalanche affecting the current 138,000-volt line.
· A comprehensive study of alternatives that could reduce peak demand.
· An up-to-date Wood River Electrical Plan that reflects current energy consumption in today's economic environment.
Idaho Power and the cities of Ketchum and Sun Valley have a tremendous opportunity at this point to respond to the desires of Idaho Power shareholders, the power council and the residents of the Wood River Valley and to demonstrate to the rest of the state and the Rocky Mountain region the potential for reduction of energy consumption and responsible electrical energy production and delivery. As a community, we have the opportunity to explore the abundant renewable energy possibilities in our valley and to dismiss the need to bring power over long distances from dirty, coal-fired plants. Now is the time to be educated about supplying future electrical needs with 21st-century technology.
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